Pyrazole, triazole and tetrazole orexin receptor antagonists

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to pyrazole, triazole and tetrazole compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. Such compounds are of the general structural formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The present invention is also directed to uses of the compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these pharmaceutical compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/057439, filed Oct. 27, 2015, which claims priority from PCT Application No. PCT/CN2014/089934, filed Oct. 30, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The orexins (hypocretins) comprise two neuropeptides produced in the hypothalamus: the orexin A (OX-A) (a 33 amino acid peptide) and the orexin B (OX-B) (a 28 amino acid peptide) (Sakurai T. et al., Cell, 1998, 92, 573-585). Orexins are found to stimulate food consumption in rats suggesting a physiological role for these peptides as mediators in the central feedback mechanism that regulates feeding behavior (Sakurai T. et al., Cell, 1998, 92, 573-585). Orexins regulate states of sleep and wakefulness opening potentially novel therapeutic approaches for narcoleptic or insomniac patients (Chemelli R. M. et al., Cell, 1999, 98, 437-451). Orexins have also been indicated as playing a role in arousal, reward, learning and memory (Harris, et al., Trends Neurosci., 2006, 29 (10), 571-577). Two orexin receptors have been cloned and characterized in mammals. They belong to the super family of G-protein coupled receptors (Sakurai T. et al., Cell, 1998, 92, 573-585): the orexin-1 receptor (OX or OX1R) is selective for OX-A and the orexin-2 receptor (OX2 or OX2R) is capable to bind OX-A as well as OX-B. The physiological actions in which orexins are presumed to participate are thought to be expressed via one or both of OX1 receptor and OX2 receptor as the two subtypes of orexin receptors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to pyrazole, triazole, and tetrazole compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the pyrazole, triazole, and tetrazole compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these pharmaceutical compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In embodiment no. 1, the present invention provides compounds of the formula I:

wherein:

-   X is N or C(R⁷); -   Y is N or C(R⁶), wherein when Y is N then X is also N; -   A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl and     heteroaryl; -   R^(1a), R^(1b) and R^(1c) are independently selected from the group     consisting of:     -   (1) hydrogen,     -   (2) halogen,     -   (3) hydroxyl,     -   (4) —(C═O)_(m)—O_(n)—C₁₋₆alkyl, where m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1         (wherein if m is 0 or n is 0, a bond is present) and where the         alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more         substituents (e.g., 1-4 substituents) selected from R⁴,     -   (5) —(C═O)_(m)—O_(n)—C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, where the cycloalkyl is         unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents         selected from R⁴,     -   (6) —(C═O)_(m)—C₂₋₄alkenyl, where the alkenyl is unsubstituted         or substituted with one or more substituents (e.g., 1-4         substituents) selected from R⁴,     -   (7) —(C═O)_(m)—C₂₋₄alkynyl, where the alkynyl is unsubstituted         or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R⁴,     -   (8) —(C═O)_(m)—O_(n)-phenyl or —(C═O)_(m)—O_(n)-naphthyl, where         the phenyl or naphthyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one         or more substituents (e.g., 1-4 substituents) selected from R⁴,     -   (9) —(C═O)_(m)—O_(n)-heterocycle, where the heterocycle is         unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents         (e.g., 1-4 substituents) selected from R⁴,     -   (10) —(C═O)_(m)—NR¹⁰R¹¹, wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently         selected from the group consisting of:         -   (a) hydrogen,         -   (b) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with             R⁴,         -   (c) C₃₋₆alkenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with             R⁴,         -   (d) C₃₋₆alkynyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with             R⁴,         -   (e) C₃₋₆cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted             with R⁴,         -   (f) phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R⁴,             and         -   (g) heterocycle, which is unsubstituted or substituted with             R⁴,     -   (11) —S(O)₂—NR¹⁰R¹¹,     -   (12) —S(O)_(q)—R¹², where q is 0, 1 or 2 and where R¹² is         selected from the definitions of R¹⁰ and R¹¹,     -   (13) —CO₂H,     -   (14) —CN, and     -   (15) —NO₂; -   R³ is selected from C₁₋₆alkyl and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, which is     unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected     from R⁴; -   R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:     -   (1) hydroxyl,     -   (2) halogen,     -   (3) C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (4) —C₃₋₆cycloalkyl,     -   (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (6) —O(C═O)—C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (7) —NH₂,     -   (7) —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (8) —NO₂,     -   (9) phenyl,     -   (10) heterocycle,     -   (11) —CO₂H, and     -   (12) —CN; -   R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of:     -   (1) hydrogen,     -   (2) halogen,     -   (3) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,         —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is         unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, or         C₁₋₆alkyl-OH,     -   (4) C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,         —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is         unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, or         C₁₋₆alkyl-OH,     -   (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and     -   (6) —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (7) —CN,     -   (8) —(C═O)NH₂,     -   (9) —(C═O)NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, and     -   (10) —(C═O)NH—O—C₁₋₆alkyl; -   R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of:     -   (1) hydrogen,     -   (2) halogen,     -   (3) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,         —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is         unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, or         C₁₋₆alkyl-OH,     -   (4) C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl,         —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is         unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, or         C₁₋₆alkyl-OH,     -   (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and     -   (6) —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (7) —CN,     -   (8) —(C═O)NH₂,     -   (9) —(C═O)NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, and     -   (10) —(C═O)NH—O—C₁₋₆alkyl; -   R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of:     -   (1) hydrogen and     -   (2) C₁₋₆alkyl, or         a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 2, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, pyrazinyl, and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl; and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 3, the present invention provides a compound of the formula Ia

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 4, the present invention provides a compound of the formula Ia′

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 5, the present invention provides a compound of the formula Ia″

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 6, the present invention provides a compound of the formula Ib

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 7, the present invention provides a compound of the formula Ib′

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 8, the present invention provides a compound of the formula Ib″

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In embodiment no. 9, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia′, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is C(R⁶), and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 10, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia′, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is N and Y is C(R⁶), and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 11, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia′, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is C(R⁷) and Y is C(R⁶), and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 12, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is N and Y is N, and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 13, the present invention provides a compound as set forth in any one of embodiment nos. 9-11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁶ is hydrogen or methyl. In embodiment no. 14, R⁶ is hydrogen.

In embodiment no. 15, the present invention provides a compound as set forth in embodiment no. 9 or 11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁷ is hydrogen or methyl. In embodiment no. 16, R⁷ is hydrogen.

In embodiment no. 17, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, or Ia″, wherein R^(1a), R^(1b) and R^(1c) are independently selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (1) hydrogen,     -   (2) halogen,     -   (3) hydroxyl,     -   (4) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,     -   (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,     -   (6) —CN, and     -   (7) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl,         and pyrimidinyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen, hydroxyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl or —NO₂;         and R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 18, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, or Ia″, wherein R^(1a), R^(1b) and R^(1c) are independently selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (1) hydrogen,     -   (2) halogen,     -   (3) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen or methoxy,     -   (4) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen,     -   (5) —C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, wherein said —C₃₋₆cycloalkyl is selected         from the group consisting of cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl, which         is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or CN;     -   (6) heterocyclyl, wherein heterocyclyl is selected from the         group consisting of pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl,         oxadiazolyl, pyridyl, and pyrrolidinyl, which is unsubstituted         or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl,     -   (7) phenyl; and     -   (8) —S—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with         halogen;         and R³ and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 19, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³ is methyl or ethyl, and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 20, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³ is methyl, and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), and R⁵ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 21, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (1) —C(CH₃)₂OH,     -   (2) —CH(OH)CF₃,     -   (2) —CH(OH)CH₃,     -   (2) —C(OH)(CF₃)CH₃,     -   (3) —C(═O)OCH₃,     -   (4) bromo, and     -   (5) phenyl;         and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), and R³ are as defined in embodiment         no. 1.

In embodiment no. 22, the present invention provides a compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, Ia″, Ib, Ib′, or Ib″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁵ is —C(CH₃)₂OH, and R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c), and R³ are as defined in embodiment no. 1.

In embodiment no. 23, the present invention provides compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, or Ia″, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   -   R^(1a), R^(1b), and R^(1c) are as defined in embodiment no. 18;     -   R³ is as defined in embodiment no. 19; and     -   R⁵ is as defined in embodiment no. 21.

In embodiment no. 24, the present invention provides compound of the formula I, Ia, Ia′, or Ia″, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   -   R^(1a), R^(1b), and R^(1c) are as defined in embodiment no. 18;     -   R³ is methyl; and     -   R⁵ is —C(CH₃)₂OH.

In embodiment no. 25, the present invention provides a compound as set forth in any one of embodiment nos. 17-24 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is N and Y is C(R⁶) and R⁶ is hydrogen or methyl.

In embodiment no. 26, the present invention provides a compound as set forth in any one of embodiment nos. 17-24 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is C(H) and Y is C(R⁶), and R⁶ is hydrogen or methyl.

In embodiment no. 25, the present invention provides a compound as set forth in any one of embodiment nos. 17-24 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X is N and Y is N.

Certain embodiments of the present invention include a compound which is selected from the group consisting of the subject compounds of the Examples herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Certain embodiments of the present invention include a compound which is selected from the group consisting of:

-   1-(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)     phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile; -   [1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-propylpyridin-3-yl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-propylphenyl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopropylphenyl)methanone; -   (2-cyclopropylphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   (2-(difluoromethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   methyl     3-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hy-droxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)picolinate; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phenyl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(4-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanone; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-({2-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   (2-ethoxyphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperi-din-1-yl)methanone; -   (2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopro-poxypyridin-3-yl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopropoxyphenyl)methanone; -   (2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)methanone; -   methyl     2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)benzoate; -   (2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1S)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1R)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   methyl     2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate; -   (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)     ((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-bromo-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   (5-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[5-fluoro-2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[5-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(3-pyridin-2-ylpyrazin-2-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2-methoxyethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[6-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(3-phenoxyphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-methoxy-6-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[5-methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-methyl-6-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[6-methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(methoxymethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-7-ylcarbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   1-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}ethanol; -   2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol -   2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(5-methyl-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-phenylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-tetrazol-5-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-propylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1S)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1R)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclobutylphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-({2-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-phenylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropyl-6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclobutyl-6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; -   2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   (1R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)     phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol; -   (1S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol; -   1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   (2R)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   (2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; -   2-{3-methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol;     and -   2-{5-methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol;     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The compounds of the present invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and can thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. Additional asymmetric centers may be present depending upon the nature of the various substituents on the molecule. Each such asymmetric center will independently produce two optical isomers and it is intended that all of the possible optical isomers and diastereomers in mixtures and as pure or partially purified compounds are included within the ambit of this invention. The present invention is meant to comprehend all such isomeric forms of these compounds. Formula I shows the structure of the class of compounds without specific stereochemistry.

The independent syntheses of these diastereomers or their chromatographic separations may be achieved as known in the art by appropriate modification of the methodology disclosed herein. Their absolute stereochemistry may be determined by the x-ray crystallography of crystalline products or crystalline intermediates which are derivatized, if necessary, with a reagent containing an asymmetric center of known absolute configuration. If desired, racemic mixtures of the compounds may be separated so that the individual enantiomers are isolated. The separation can be carried out by methods well known in the art, such as the coupling of a racemic mixture of compounds to an enantiomerically pure compound to form a diastereomeric mixture, followed by separation of the individual diastereomers by standard methods, such as fractional crystallization or chromatography. The coupling reaction is often the formation of salts using an enantiomerically pure acid or base. The diasteromeric derivatives may then be converted to the pure enantiomers by cleavage of the added chiral residue. The racemic mixture of the compounds can also be separated directly by chromatographic methods utilizing chiral stationary phases, which methods are well known in the art. Alternatively, any enantiomer of a compound may be obtained by stereoselective synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration by methods well known in the art.

As appreciated by those of skill in the art, halogen or halo as used herein are intended to include fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Similarly, C₁₋₆, as in C₁₋₆alkyl is defined to identify the group as having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbons in a linear or branched arrangement, such that C₁₋₆alkyl specifically includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. A group which is designated as being independently substituted with substituents may be independently substituted with multiple numbers of such substituents. The term “heterocycle” as used herein includes both unsaturated and saturated heterocyclic moieties, wherein the unsaturated heterocyclic moieties (i.e. “heteroaryl”) include benzoimidazolyl, benzimidazolonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazepin, benzoxazolyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, cinnolinyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, dihydroindolyl, indolazinyl, indazolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthpyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxazoline, isoxazoline, oxetanyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridopyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroquinoxalinyl, tetrazolyl, tetrazolopyridyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, triazolyl, and N-oxides thereof, and wherein the saturated heterocyclic moieties include azetidinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, hexahydroazepinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyridin-2-onyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thiomorpholinyl, and tetrahydrothienyl, and N-oxides thereof.

The present invention also includes all pharmaceutically acceptable isotopic variations of a compound of the Formula I in which one or more atoms is replaced by atoms having the same atomic number, but an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature. Examples of isotopes suitable for inclusion in the compounds of the invention include isotopes of hydrogen such as ²H and ³H, carbon such as ¹¹C, ¹³C and ¹⁴C, nitrogen such as ¹³N and ¹⁵N, oxygen such as ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O, phosphorus such as ³²P, sulfur such as ³⁵S, fluorine such as ¹⁸F, iodine such as ¹²³I and ¹²⁵I, and chlorine such as ³⁶Cl. Certain isotopically-labelled compounds of Formula I, for example those incorporating a radioactive isotope, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distribution studies. The radioactive isotopes tritium, i.e. ³H, and carbon-14, i.e. ¹⁴C, are particularly useful for this purpose in view of their ease of incorporation and ready means of detection. Substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e. ²H, may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements, and hence may be preferred in some circumstances. Substitution with positron emitting isotopes, such as ¹¹C, ¹⁸F, ¹⁵O and ¹³N, can be useful in Positron Emission Topography (PET) studies for examining substrate receptor occupancy. Isotopically-labelled compounds of Formula I can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described in the accompanying Examples using appropriate isotopically-labelled reagents in place of the non-labelled reagent previously employed.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids including inorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic salts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particular embodiments include the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts. Salts in the solid form may exist in more than one crystal structure, and may also be in the form of hydrates. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylene-diamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethyl-morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine, and the like.

When the compound of the present invention is basic, salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and the like. Particular embodiments include the citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric, fumaric, and tartaric acids. It will be understood that, as used herein, references to the compounds of Formula I are meant to also include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Exemplifying the invention is the use of the compounds disclosed in the Examples and herein. Specific compounds within the present invention include a compound which selected from the group consisting of the compounds disclosed in the following Examples and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual enantiomers or diastereomers thereof.

The subject compounds are useful in a method of antagonizing orexin receptor activity in a patient such as a mammal in need of such inhibition comprising the administration of an effective amount of the compound. The present invention is directed to the use of the compounds disclosed herein as antagonists of orexin receptor activity. In addition to primates, especially humans, a variety of other mammals may be treated according to the method of the present invention. The present invention is directed to a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof that could be useful in medicine. The present invention may further be directed to a use of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for antagonizing orexin receptor activity or treating the disorders and diseases noted herein in humans and animals.

The subject treated in the present methods is generally a mammal, such as a human being, male or female. The term “therapeutically effective amount” means the amount of the subject compound that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. It is recognized that one skilled in the art may affect the neurological and psychiatric disorders by treating a patient presently afflicted with the disorders or by prophylactically treating a patient afflicted with the disorders with an effective amount of the compound of the present invention. As used herein, the terms “treatment” and “treating” refer to all processes wherein there may be a slowing, interrupting, arresting, controlling, or stopping of the progression of the neurological and psychiatric disorders described herein, but does not necessarily indicate a total elimination of all disorder symptoms, as well as the prophylactic therapy of the mentioned conditions, particularly in a patient who is predisposed to such disease or disorder. The terms “administration of” and or “administering a” compound should be understood to mean providing a compound of the invention or a prodrug of a compound of the invention to the individual in need thereof.

The term “composition” as used herein is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. Such term in relation to pharmaceutical composition, is intended to encompass a product comprising the active ingredient(s), and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. By “pharmaceutically acceptable” it is meant the carrier, diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The utility of the compounds in accordance with the present invention as orexin receptor OX1R and/or OX2R antagonists may be readily determined without undue experimentation by methodology well known in the art, including the “FLIPR Ca²⁺ Flux Assay” (Okumura et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 280:976-981, 2001). In a typical experiment the OX1 and OX2 receptor antagonistic activity of the compounds of the present invention was determined in accordance with the following experimental method. For intracellular calcium measurements, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the rat orexin-1 receptor or the human orexin-2 receptor, are grown in Iscove's modified DMEM containing 2 mM L-glutamine, 0.5 g/ml G418, 1% hypoxanthine-thymidine supplement, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin and 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS). The cells are seeded at 20,000 cells/well into Becton-Dickinson black 384-well clear bottom sterile plates coated with poly-D-lysine. All reagents were from GIBCO-Invitrogen Corp. The seeded plates are incubated overnight at 37° C. and 5% CO2. Ala-6,12 human orexin-A as the agonist is prepared as a 1 mM stock solution in 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and diluted in assay buffer (HBSS containing 20 mM HEPES, 0.1% BSA and 2.5 mM probenecid, pH7.4) for use in the assay at a final concentration of 70 pM. Test compounds are prepared as 10 mM stock solution in DMSO, then diluted in 384-well plates, first in DMSO, then assay buffer. On the day of the assay, cells are washed 3 times with 100 μl assay buffer and then incubated for 60 min (37° C., 5% CO2) in 60 μl assay buffer containing 1 μM Fluo-4AM ester, 0.02% pluronic acid, and 1% BSA. The dye loading solution is then aspirated and cells are washed 3 times with 100 μl assay buffer. 30 μl of that same buffer is left in each well. Within the Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR, Molecular Devices), test compounds are added to the plate in a volume of 25 μl, incubated for 5 min and finally 25 μl of agonist is added. Fluorescence is measured for each well at 1 second intervals for 5 minutes and the height of each fluorescence peak is compared to the height of the fluorescence peak induced by 70 pM Ala-6,12 orexin-A with buffer in place of antagonist. For each antagonist, IC50 value (the concentration of compound needed to inhibit 50% of the agonist response) is determined. Alternatively, compound potency can be assessed by a radioligand binding assay (described in Bergman et. al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2008, 18, 1425-1430) in which the inhibition constant (K_(i)) is determined in membranes prepared from CHO cells expressing either the OX1 or OX2 receptor. The intrinsic orexin receptor antagonist activity of a compound which may be used in the present invention may be determined by these assays.

All of the final compounds of the following examples had activity in the FLIPR assay with an IC₅₀ of about 5 nM to 2000 nM against the orexin-2 receptor. Additional data is provided in the following Examples. Such a result is indicative of the intrinsic activity of the compounds in use as antagonists of orexin-1 receptor and/or the orexin-2 receptor. In general, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that a substance is considered to effectively antagonize the orexin receptor if it has an IC₅₀ of less than about 50 μM, preferably less than about 1000 nM.

The orexin receptors have been implicated in a wide range of biological functions. This has suggested a potential role for these receptors in a variety of disease processes in humans or other species. The compounds of the present invention could therefore potentially have utility in treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with orexin receptors, including one or more of the following conditions or diseases: sleep disorders, sleep disturbances, including enhancing sleep quality, improving sleep quality, increasing sleep efficiency, augmenting sleep maintenance; increasing the value which is calculated from the time that a subject sleeps divided by the time that a subject is attempting to sleep; improving sleep initiation; decreasing sleep latency or onset (the time it takes to fall asleep); decreasing difficulties in falling asleep; increasing sleep continuity; decreasing the number of awakenings during sleep; decreasing intermittent wakings during sleep; decreasing nocturnal arousals; decreasing the time spent awake following the initial onset of sleep; increasing the total amount of sleep; reducing the fragmentation of sleep; altering the timing, frequency or duration of REM sleep bouts; altering the timing, frequency or duration of slow wave (i.e. stages 3 or 4) sleep bouts; increasing the amount and percentage of stage 2 sleep; promoting slow wave sleep; enhancing EEG-delta activity during sleep; decreasing nocturnal arousals, especially early morning awakenings; increasing daytime alertness; reducing daytime drowsiness; treating or reducing excessive daytime sleepiness; increasing satisfaction with the intensity of sleep; increasing sleep maintenance; idiopathic insomnia; sleep problems; insomnia, hypersomnia, idiopathic hypersomnia, repeatability hypersomnia, intrinsic hypersomnia, narcolepsy, interrupted sleep, sleep apnea, wakefulness, nocturnal myoclonus, REM sleep interruptions, jet-lag, shift workers' sleep disturbances, dyssomnias, night terror, insomnias associated with depression, emotional/mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment, as well as sleep walking and enuresis, and sleep disorders which accompany aging; Alzheimer's sundowning; conditions associated with circadian rhythmicity as well as mental and physical disorders associated with travel across time zones and with rotating shift-work schedules, conditions due to drugs which cause reductions in REM sleep as a side effect; fibromyalgia; syndromes which are manifested by non-restorative sleep and muscle pain or sleep apnea which is associated with respiratory disturbances during sleep; conditions which result from a diminished quality of sleep; increasing learning; augmenting memory; increasing retention of memory; eating disorders associated with excessive food intake and complications associated therewith, compulsive eating disorders, obesity (due to any cause, whether genetic or environmental), obesity-related disorders overeating, anorexia, bulimia, cachexia, dysregulated appetite control, hypertension, diabetes, elevated plasma insulin concentrations and insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, hyperlipidemia, endometrial, breast, prostate and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, cholelithiasis, gallstones, heart disease, lung disease, abnormal heart rhythms and arrythmias, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, acute and congestive heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardinal infarction; ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke; subarachnoid haemorrhage; ulcers; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; chronic renal failure; renal disease; impaired glucose tolerance; sudden death, polycystic ovary disease, craniopharyngioma, the Prader-Willi Syndrome, Frohlich's syndrome, GH-deficient subjects, normal variant short stature, Turner's syndrome, and other pathological conditions showing reduced metabolic activity or a decrease in resting energy expenditure as a percentage of total fat-free mass, e.g, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, reproductive hormone abnormalities, sexual and reproductive dysfunction, such as impaired fertility, infertility, hypogonadism in males and hirsutism in females, fetal defects associated with maternal obesity, gastrointestinal motility disorders, intestinal motility dyskinesias, obesity-related gastro-esophageal reflux, hypothalmic diseases, hypophysis diseases, respiratory disorders, such as obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (Pickwickian syndrome), breathlessness, cardiovascular disorders, inflammation, such as systemic inflammation of the vasculature, arteriosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricaemia, lower back pain, gallbladder disease, gout, kidney cancer, increased anesthetic risk, reducing the risk of secondary outcomes of obesity, such as reducing the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy; diseases or disorders where abnormal oscillatory activity occurs in the brain, including depression, migraine, neuropathic pain, Parkinson's disease, psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as diseases or disorders where there is abnormal coupling of activity, particularly through the thalamus; enhancing cognitive function, including cognitive dysfunctions that comprise deficits in all types of attention, learning and memory functions occurring transiently or chronically in the normal, healthy, young, adult or aging population, and also occurring transiently or chronically in psychiatric, neurologic, cardiovascular and immune disorders; enhancing memory; increasing memory retention; increasing immune response; increasing immune function; hot flashes; night sweats; extending life span; schizophrenia; muscle-related disorders that are controlled by the excitation/relaxation rhythms imposed by the neural system such as cardiac rhythm and other disorders of the cardiovascular system; conditions related to proliferation of cells such as vasodilation or vasorestriction and blood pressure; cancer; cardiac arrhythmia; hypertension; congestive heart failure; conditions of the genital/urinary system; disorders of sexual function and fertility; adequacy of renal function; responsivity to anesthetics; mood disorders, such as depression or more particularly depressive disorders, for example, single episodic or recurrent major depressive disorders and dysthymic disorders, or bipolar disorders, for example, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymic disorder, mood disorders due to a general medical condition, and substance-induced mood disorders; affective neurosis; depressive neurosis; anxiety neurosis; anxiety disorders including acute stress disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attack, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, substance-induced anxiety disorder and anxiety due to a general medical condition; acute neurological and psychiatric disorders such as cerebral deficits subsequent to cardiac bypass surgery and grafting, stroke, ischemic stroke, cerebral ischemia, spinal cord trauma, head trauma, perinatal hypoxia, cardiac arrest, hypoglycemic neuronal damage; Huntington's Chorea; Huntington's disease and Tourette syndrome; Cushing's syndrome/disease; basophile adenoma; prolactinoma; hyperprolactinemia; hypophysis tumor/adenoma; hypothalamic diseases; inflammatory bowel disease; gastric diskinesia; gastric ulcers; Froehlich's syndrome; adrenohypophysis disease; hypophysis disease; adrenohypophysis hypofunction; adrenohypophysis hyperfunction; hypothalamic hypogonadism; Kallman's syndrome (anosmia, hyposmia); functional or psychogenic amenorrhea; hypopituitarism; hypothalamic hypothyroidism; hypothalamic-adrenal dysfunction; idiopathic hyperprolactinemia; hypothalamic disorders of growth hormone deficiency; idiopathic growth deficiency; dwarfism; gigantism; acromegaly; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; multiple sclerosis; ocular damage; retinopathy; cognitive disorders; idiopathic and drug-induced Parkinson's disease; muscular spasms and disorders associated with muscular spasticity including tremors, epilepsy, convulsions, seizure disorders, absence seisures, complex partial and generalized seizures; Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; cognitive disorders including dementia (associated with Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, trauma, vascular problems or stroke, HIV disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, perinatal hypoxia, other general medical conditions or substance abuse); delirium, amnestic disorders or age related cognitive decline; schizophrenia or psychosis including schizophrenia (paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, shared psychotic disorder, psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition and substance-induced psychotic disorder; dissociative disorders including multiple personality syndromes and psychogenic amnesias; substance-related disorders, substance use, substance abuse, substance seeking, substance reinstatement, all types of psychological and physical addictions and addictive behaviors, reward-related behaviors (including substance-induced delirium, persisting dementia, persisting amnestic disorder, psychotic disorder or anxiety disorder; tolerance, addictive feeding, addictive feeding behaviors, binge/purge feeding behaviors, dependence, withdrawal or relapse from substances including alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, morphine, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics); appetite, taste, eating or drinking disorders; movement disorders, including akinesias and akinetic-rigid syndromes (including Parkinson's disease, drug-induced parkinsonism, postencephalitic parkinsonism, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, parkinsonism-ALS dementia complex and basal ganglia calcification), chronic fatigue syndrome, fatigue, including Parkinson's fatigue, multiple sclerosis fatigue, fatigue caused by a sleep disorder or a circadian rhythm disorder, medication-induced parkinsonism (such as neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, neuroleptic-induced acute dystonia, neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia, neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia and medication-induced postural tremor), Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, and dyskinesias [including tremor (such as rest tremor, essential tremor, postural tremor and intention tremor), chorea (such as Sydenham's chorea, Huntington's disease, benign hereditary chorea, neuroacanthocytosis, symptomatic chorea, drug-induced chorea and hemiballism), myoclonus (including generalised myoclonus and focal myoclonus), tics (including simple tics, complex tics and symptomatic tics), restless leg syndrome and dystonia (including generalised dystonia such as iodiopathic dystonia, drug-induced dystonia, symptomatic dystonia and paroxymal dystonia, and focal dystonia such as blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, axial dystonia, dystonic writer's cramp and hemiplegic dystonia); neurodegenerative disorders including nosological entities such as disinhibition-dementia-parkinsonism-amyotrophy complex; pallido-ponto-nigral degeneration; epilepsy; seizure disorders; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); conduct disorder; migraine (including migraine headache); headache; hyperalgesia; pain; enhanced or exaggerated sensitivity to pain such as hyperalgesia, causalgia, and allodynia; acute pain; burn pain; atypical facial pain; neuropathic pain; back pain; complex regional pain syndrome I and II; arthritic pain; sports injury pain; pain related to infection e.g. HIV, post-chemotherapy pain; post-stroke pain; post-operative pain; neuralgia; emesis, nausea, vomiting; gastric dyskinesia; gastric ulcers; Kallman's syndrome (anosmia); asthma; cancer; conditions associated with visceral pain such as irritable bowel syndrome, and angina; eating disorders; urinary incontinence; substance tolerance, substance withdrawal (including, substances such as opiates, nicotine, tobacco products, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, sedatives, hypnotics, etc.); psychosis; schizophrenia; anxiety (including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder); mood disorders (including depression, mania, bipolar disorders); trigeminal neuralgia; hearing loss; tinnitus; neuronal damage including ocular damage; retinopathy; macular degeneration of the eye; emesis; brain edema; pain, including acute and chronic pain states, severe pain, intractable pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, post-traumatic pain, bone and joint pain (osteoarthritis), repetitive motion pain, dental pain, cancer pain, myofascial pain (muscular injury, fibromyalgia), perioperative pain (general surgery, gynecological), chronic pain, neuropathic pain, post-traumatic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, migraine and migraine headache and other diseases related to general orexin system dysfunction.

Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention may provide methods for: enhancing the quality of sleep; augmenting sleep maintenance; increasing REM sleep; increasing stage 2 sleep; decreasing fragmentation of sleep patterns; treating insomnia and all types of sleep disorders; treating or controlling sleep disturbances associated with diseases such as neurological disorders including neuropathic pain and restless leg syndrome; treating or controlling addiction disorders; treating or controlling psychoactive substance use and abuse; enhancing cognition; increasing memory retention; treating or controlling obesity; treating or controlling diabetes and appetite, taste, eating, or drinking disorders; treating or controlling hypothalamic diseases; treating or controlling depression; treating, controlling, ameliorating or reducing the risk of epilepsy, including absence epilepsy; treating or controlling pain, including neuropathic pain; treating or controlling Parkinson's disease; treating or controlling psychosis; treating or controlling dysthymic, mood, psychotic and anxiety disorders; treating or controlling depression, including major depression and major depression disorder; treating or controlling bipolar disorder; or treating, controlling, ameliorating or reducing the risk of schizophrenia, in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention.

The subject compounds could further be of potential use in a method for the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases, disorders and conditions noted herein. The dosage of active ingredient in the compositions of this invention may be varied, however, it is necessary that the amount of the active ingredient be such that a suitable dosage form is obtained. The active ingredient may be administered to patients (animals and human) in need of such treatment in dosages that will provide optimal pharmaceutical efficacy. The selected dosage depends upon the desired therapeutic effect, on the route of administration, and on the duration of the treatment. The dose will vary from patient to patient depending upon the nature and severity of disease, the patient's weight, special diets then being followed by a patient, concurrent medication, and other factors which those skilled in the art will recognize. Generally, dosage levels of between 0.0001 to 10 mg/kg. of body weight daily are administered to the patient, e.g., humans and elderly humans, to obtain effective antagonism of orexin receptors. The dosage range will generally be about 0.5 mg to 1.0 g. per patient per day which may be administered in single or multiple doses. In one embodiment, the dosage range will be about 0.5 mg to 500 mg per patient per day; in another embodiment about 0.5 mg to 200 mg per patient per day; and in yet another embodiment about 5 mg to 50 mg per patient per day. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be provided in a solid dosage formulation such as comprising about 0.5 mg to 500 mg active ingredient, or comprising about 1 mg to 250 mg active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition may be provided in a solid dosage formulation comprising about 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, 50 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg or 250 mg active ingredient. For oral administration, the compositions may be provided in the form of tablets containing 1.0 to 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient, such as 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900, and 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, such as once or twice per day. The compounds may be administered before bedtime. For example, the compounds may be administered about 1 hour prior to bedtime, about 30 minutes prior to bedtime or immediately before bedtime.

The compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with one or more other drugs in the treatment, prevention, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of diseases or conditions for which compounds of the present invention or the other drugs may have utility, where the combination of the drugs together are safer or more effective than either drug alone. Such other drug(s) may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the present invention. When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form containing such other drugs and the compound of the present invention is contemplated. However, the combination therapy may also include therapies in which the compound of the present invention and one or more other drugs are administered on different overlapping schedules. It is also contemplated that when used in combination with one or more other active ingredients, the compounds of the present invention and the other active ingredients may be used in lower doses than when each is used singly. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention. The above combinations include combinations of a compound of the present invention not only with one other active compound, but also with two or more other active compounds.

Likewise, compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with other drugs that are used in the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases or conditions for which compounds of the present invention are useful. Such other drugs may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the present invention. When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound of the present invention is contemplated. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that also contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention.

The weight ratio of the compound of the compound of the present invention to the second active ingredient may be varied and will depend upon the effective dose of each ingredient. Generally, an effective dose of each will be used. Thus, for example, when a compound of the present invention is combined with another agent, the weight ratio of the compound of the present invention to the other agent will generally range from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000, such as about 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of a compound of the present invention and other active ingredients will generally also be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, an effective dose of each active ingredient should be used. In such combinations the compound of the present invention and other active agents may be administered separately or in conjunction. In addition, the administration of one element may be prior to, concurrent to, or subsequent to the administration of other agent(s).

The compounds of the present invention may be administered in combination with other compounds which are known in the art to be useful for enhancing sleep quality and preventing and treating sleep disorders and sleep disturbances, including e.g., sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cyclopyrrolones, GABA agonists, 5HT-2 antagonists including 5HT-2A antagonists and 5HT-2A/2C antagonists, histamine antagonists including histamine H3 antagonists, histamine H3 inverse agonists, imidazopyridines, minor tranquilizers, melatonin agonists and antagonists, melatonergic agents, other orexin antagonists, orexin agonists, prokineticin agonists and antagonists, pyrazolopyrimidines, T-type calcium channel antagonists, triazolopyridines, and the like, such as: adinazolam, allobarbital, alonimid, alprazolam, amitriptyline, amobarbital, amoxapine, armodafinil, APD-125, bentazepam, benzoctamine, brotizolam, bupropion, busprione, butabarbital, butalbital, capromorelin, capuride, carbocloral, chloral betaine, chloral hydrate, chlordiazepoxide, clomipramine, clonazepam, cloperidone, clorazepate, clorethate, clozapine, conazepam, cyprazepam, desipramine, dexclamol, diazepam, dichloralphenazone, divalproex, diphenhydramine, doxepin, EMD-281014, eplivanserin, estazolam, eszopiclone, ethchlorynol, etomidate, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, fosazepam, gaboxadol, glutethimide, halazepam, hydroxyzine, ibutamoren, imipramine, indiplon, lithium, lorazepam, lormetazepam, LY-156735, maprotiline, MDL-100907, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, meprobamate, methaqualone, methyprylon, midaflur, midazolam, modafinil, nefazodone, NGD-2-73, nisobamate, nitrazepam, nortriptyline, ornortriptyline, oxazepam, paraldehyde, paroxetine, pentobarbital, perlapine, perphenazine, phenelzine, phenobarbital, prazepam, promethazine, propofol, protriptyline, quazepam, ramelteon, reclazepam, roletamide, secobarbital, sertraline, suproclone, TAK-375, temazepam, thioridazine, tiagabine, tracazolate, tranylcypromaine, trazodone, triazolam, trepipam, tricetamide, triclofos, trifluoperazine, trimetozine, trimipramine, uldazepam, venlafaxine, zaleplon, zolazepam, zopiclone, zolpidem, and salts thereof, and combinations thereof, and the like, or the compound of the present invention may be administered in conjunction with the use of physical methods such as with light therapy or electrical stimulation.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with other compounds which are known in the art, either administered separately or in the same pharmaceutical compositions, including, but are not limited to: insulin sensitizers including (i) PPARγ antagonists such as glitazones (e.g. ciglitazone; darglitazone; englitazone; isaglitazone (MCC-555); pioglitazone; rosiglitazone; troglitazone; tularik; BRL49653; CLX-0921; 5-BTZD), GW-0207, LG-100641, and LY-300512, and the like); (iii) biguanides such as metformin and phenformin; (b) insulin or insulin mimetics, such as biota, LP-100, novarapid, insulin detemir, insulin lispro, insulin glargine, insulin zinc suspension (lente and ultralente); Lys-Pro insulin, GLP-1 (73-7) (insulintropin); and GLP-1 (7-36)-NH₂); (c) sulfonylureas, such as acetohexamide; chlorpropamide; diabinese; glibenclamide; glipizide; glyburide; glimepiride; gliclazide; glipentide; gliquidone; glisolamide; tolazamide; and tolbutamide; (d) α-glucosidase inhibitors, such as acarbose, adiposine; camiglibose; emiglitate; miglitol; voglibose; pradimicin-Q; salbostatin; CKD-711; MDL-25,637; MDL-73,945; and MOR 14, and the like; (e) cholesterol lowering agents such as (i) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, itavastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rivastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and other statins), (ii) bile acid absorbers/sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, colestipol, dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of a cross-linked dextran; Colestid®; LoCholest®, and the like, (ii) nicotinyl alcohol, nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, (iii) proliferator-activator receptor a agonists such as fenofibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and benzafibrate), (iv) inhibitors of cholesterol absorption such as stanol esters, beta-sitosterol, sterol glycosides such as tiqueside; and azetidinones such as ezetimibe, and the like, and (acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)) inhibitors such as avasimibe, and melinamide, (v) anti-oxidants, such as probucol, (vi) vitamin E, and (vii) thyromimetics; (f) PPARα agonists such as beclofibrate, benzafibrate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, etofibrate, fenofibrate, and gemfibrozil; and other fabric acid derivatives, such as Atromid®, Lopid® and Tricor®, and the like, and PPARα agonists as described in WO 97/36579; (g) PPARδ agonists, such as those disclosed in WO97/28149; (h) PPAR α/δ agonists, such as muraglitazar, and the compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,414,002; (i) anti-obesity agents, such as (1) growth hormone secretagogues, growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonists/antagonists, such as NN703, hexarelin, MK-0677, SM-130686, CP-424,391, L-692,429, and L-163,255, and such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,536,716, and 6,358,951, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2002/049196 and 2002/022637, and PCT Application Nos. WO 01/56592 and WO 02/32888; (2) protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) inhibitors; (3) cannabinoid receptor ligands, such as cannabinoid CB₁ receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, such as rimonabant, taranabant, AMT-251, and SR-14778 and SR 141716A (Sanofi Synthelabo), SLV-319 (Solvay), BAY 65-2520 (Bayer) and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,532,237, 4,973,587, 5,013,837, 5,081,122, 5,112,820, 5,292,736, 5,624,941, 6,028,084, PCT Application Nos. WO 96/33159, WO 98/33765, WO98/43636, WO98/43635, WO 01/09120, WO98/31227, WO98/41519, WO98/37061, WO00/10967, WO00/10968, WO97/29079, WO99/02499, WO 01/58869, WO 01/64632, WO 01/64633, WO 01/64634, WO02/076949, WO 03/007887, WO 04/048317, and WO 05/000809; (4) anti-obesity serotonergic agents, such as fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, phentermine, and sibutramine; (5) β3-adrenoreceptor agonists, such as AD9677/TAK677 (Dainippon/Takeda), CL-316,243, SB 418790, BRL-37344, L-796568, BMS-196085, BRL-35135A, CGP12177A, BTA-243, Trecadrine, Zeneca D7114, SR 59119A; (6) pancreatic lipase inhibitors, such as orlistat (Xenical®), Triton WR1339, RHC80267, lipstatin, tetrahydrolipstatin, teasaponin, diethylumbelliferyl phosphate, and those disclosed in PCT Application No. WO 01/77094; (7) neuropeptide Y1 antagonists, such as BIBP3226, J-115814, BIBO 3304, LY-357897, CP-671906, GI-264879A, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,836, and PCT Patent Publication Nos. WO 96/14307, WO 01/23387, WO 99/51600, WO 01/85690, WO 01/85098, WO 01/85173, and WO 01/89528; (8) neuropeptide Y5 antagonists, such as GW-569180A, GW-594884A, GW-587081X, GW-548118X, FR226928, FR 240662, FR252384, 1229U91, GI-264879A, CGP71683A, LY-377897, PD-160170, SR-120562A, SR-120819A and JCF-104, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,057,335; 6,043,246; 6,140,354; 6,166,038; 6,180,653; 6,191,160; 6,313,298; 6,335,345; 6,337,332; 6,326,375; 6,329,395; 6,340,683; 6,388,077; 6,462,053; 6,649,624; and 6,723,847, European Patent Nos. EP-01010691, and EP-01044970; and PCT International Patent Publication Nos. WO 97/19682, WO 97/20820, WO 97/20821, WO 97/20822, WO 97/20823, WO 98/24768; WO 98/25907; WO 98/25908; WO 98/27063, WO 98/47505; WO 98/40356; WO 99/15516; WO 99/27965; WO 00/64880, WO 00/68197, WO 00/69849, WO 01/09120, WO 01/14376; WO 01/85714, WO 01/85730, WO 01/07409, WO 01/02379, WO 01/02379, WO 01/23388, WO 01/23389, WO 01/44201, WO 01/62737, WO 01/62738, WO 01/09120, WO 02/22592, WO 0248152, and WO 02/49648; WO 02/094825; WO 03/014083; WO 03/10191; WO 03/092889; WO 04/002986; and WO 04/031175; (9) melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor antagonists, such as those disclosed in WO 01/21577 and WO 01/21169; (10) melanin-concentrating hormone 1 receptor (MCH1R) antagonists, such as T-226296 (Takeda), and those disclosed in PCT Patent Application Nos. WO 01/82925, WO 01/87834, WO 02/051809, WO 02/06245, WO 02/076929, WO 02/076947, WO 02/04433, WO 02/51809, WO 02/083134, WO 02/094799, WO 03/004027; (11) melanin-concentrating hormone 2 receptor (MCH2R) agonist/antagonists; (12) orexin receptor antagonists, such as SB-334867-A, and those disclosed in patent publications herein; (13) serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline; (14) melanocortin agonists, such as Melanotan II; (15) Mc4r (melanocortin 4 receptor) agonists, such as CHIR86036 (Chiron), ME-10142, and ME-10145 (Melacure), CHIR86036 (Chiron); PT-141, and PT-14 (Palatin); (16) 5HT-2 agonists; (17) 5HT2C (serotonin receptor 2C) agonists, such as BVT933, DPCA37215, WAY161503, R-1065, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,914,250, and PCT Application Nos. WO 02/36596, WO 02/48124, WO 02/10169, WO 01/66548, WO 02/44152, WO 02/51844, WO 02/40456, and WO 02/40457; (18) galanin antagonists; (19) CCK agonists; (20) CCK-A (cholecystokinin-A) agonists, such as AR-R 15849, GI 181771, JMV-180, A-71378, A-71623 and SR14613, and those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,106; (21) GLP-1 agonists; (22) corticotropin-releasing hormone agonists; (23) histamine receptor-3 (H3) modulators; (24) histamine receptor-3 (H3) antagonists/inverse agonists, such as hioperamide, 3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propyl N-(4-pentenyl)carbamate, clobenpropit, iodophenpropit, imoproxifan, GT2394 (Gliatech), and O-[3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanol]-carbamates; (25) β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase-1 inhibitors (β-HSD-1); (26) PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitors, such as theophylline, pentoxifylline, zaprinast, sildenafil, amrinone, milrinone, cilostamide, rolipram, and cilomilast; (27) phosphodiesterase-3B (PDE3B) inhibitors; (28) NE (norepinephrine) transport inhibitors, such as GW 320659, despiramine, talsupram, and nomifensine; (29) ghrelin receptor antagonists, such as those disclosed in PCT Application Nos. WO 01/87335, and WO 02/08250; (30) leptin, including recombinant human leptin (PEG-OB, Hoffman La Roche) and recombinant methionyl human leptin (Amgen); (31) leptin derivatives; (32) BRS3 (bombesin receptor subtype 3) agonists such as [D-Phe6,beta-Ala11,Phe13,Nle14]Bn(6-14) and [D-Phe6, Phe13]Bn(6-13)propylamide, and those compounds disclosed in Pept. Sci. 2002 August; 8(8): 461-75); (33) CNTF (Ciliary neurotrophic factors), such as GI-181771 (Glaxo-SmithKline), SR146131 (Sanofi Synthelabo), butabindide, PD170,292, and PD 149164 (Pfizer); (34) CNTF derivatives, such as axokine (Regeneron); (35) monoamine reuptake inhibitors, such as sibutramine; (36) UCP-1 (uncoupling protein-1), 2, or 3 activators, such as phytanic acid, 4-[(E)-2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-napthalenyl)-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (TTNPB), retinoic acid; (37) thyroid hormone β agonists, such as KB-2611 (KaroBioBMS); (38) FAS (fatty acid synthase) inhibitors, such as Cerulenin and C75; (39) DGAT1 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1) inhibitors; (40) DGAT2 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2) inhibitors; (41) ACC2 (acetyl-CoA carboxylase-2) inhibitors; (42) glucocorticoid antagonists; (43) acyl-estrogens, such as oleoyl-estrone, disclosed in del Mar-Grasa, M. et al., Obesity Research, 9:202-9 (2001); (44) dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP-IV) inhibitors, such as isoleucine thiazolidine, valine pyrrolidine, NVP-DPP728, LAF237, P93/01, TSL 225, TMC-2A/2B/2C, FE 999011, P9310/K364, VIP 0177, SDZ 274-444, sitagliptin; and the compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,871, WO 03/004498; WO 03/004496; EP 1 258 476; WO 02/083128; WO 02/062764; WO 03/000250; WO 03/002530; WO 03/002531; WO 03/002553; WO 03/002593; WO 03/000180; and WO 03/000181; (46) dicarboxylate transporter inhibitors; (47) glucose transporter inhibitors; (48) phosphate transporter inhibitors; (49) Metformin (Glucophage®); (50) Topiramate (Topimax®); (50) peptide YY, PYY 3-36, peptide YY analogs, derivatives, and fragments such as BIM-43073D, BIM-43004C (Olitvak, D. A. et al., Dig. Dis. Sci. 44(3):643-48 (1999)); (51) Neuropeptide Y2 (NPY2) receptor agonists such NPY3-36, N acetyl[Leu(28,31)] NPY 24-36, TASP-V, and cyclo-(28/32)-Ac-[Lys28-Glu32]-(25-36)-pNPY; (52) Neuropeptide Y4 (NPY4) agonists such as pancreatic peptide (PP), and other Y4 agonists such as 1229U91; (54) cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors such as etoricoxib, celecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, lumiracoxib, BMS347070, tiracoxib or JTE522, ABT963, CS502 and GW406381; (55) Neuropeptide Y1 (NPY1) antagonists such as BIBP3226, J-115814, BIBO 3304, LY-357897, CP-671906, GI-264879A; (56) Opioid antagonists such as nalmefene (Revex®), 3-methoxynaltrexone, naloxone, naltrexone; (57) 11β HSD-1 (11-beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 1) inhibitors such as BVT 3498, BVT 2733, and those disclosed in WO 01/90091, WO 01/90090, WO 01/90092, U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,690 and US 2004-0133011; (58) aminorex; (59) amphechloral; (60) amphetamine; (61) benzphetamine; (62) chlorphentermine; (63) clobenzorex; (64) cloforex; (65) clominorex; (66) clortermine; (67) cyclexedrine; (68) dextroamphetamine; (69) diphemethoxidine, (70) N-ethylamphetamine; (71) fenbutrazate; (72) fenisorex; (73) fenproporex; (74) fludorex; (75) fluminorex; (76) furfurylmethylamphetamine; (77) levamfetamine; (78) levophacetoperane; (79) mefenorex; (80) metamfepramone; (81) methamphetamine; (82) norpseudoephedrine; (83) pentorex; (84) phendimetrazine; (85) phenmetrazine; (86) picilorex; (87) phytopharm 57; and (88) zonisamide, (89) neuromedin U and analogs or derivatives thereof, (90) oxyntomodulin and analogs or derivatives thereof, and (91) Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (NK-1 antagonists) such as the compounds disclosed in: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,162,339, 5,232,929, 5,242,930, 5,373,003, 5,387,595, 5,459,270, 5,494,926, 5,496,833, and 5,637,699.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety agent, including norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (including tertiary amine tricyclics and secondary amine tricyclics), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (RIMAs), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists, α-adrenoreceptor antagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, atypical anti-depressants, benzodiazepines, 5-HT_(1A) agonists or antagonists, especially 5-HT_(1A) partial agonists, and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists. Specific agents include: amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine and trimipramine; amoxapine, desipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline and protriptyline; citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline; isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and selegiline; moclobemide: venlafaxine; aprepitant; bupropion, lithium, nefazodone, trazodone and viloxazine; alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, chlorazepate, diazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam and prazepam; buspirone, flesinoxan, gepirone and ipsapirone, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with anti-Alzheimer's agents; beta-secretase inhibitors; gamma-secretase inhibitors; growth hormone secretagogues; recombinant growth hormone; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; NSAID's including ibuprofen; vitamin E; anti-amyloid antibodies; CB-1 receptor antagonists or CB-1 receptor inverse agonists; antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin; N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, such as memantine; cholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and tacrine; growth hormone secretagogues such as ibutamoren, ibutamoren mesylate, and capromorelin; histamine H₃ antagonists; AMPA agonists; PDE IV inhibitors; GABA_(A) inverse agonists; or neuronal nicotinic agonists.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, cyclopyrrolones, imidazopyridines, pyrazolopyrimidines, minor tranquilizers, melatonin agonists and antagonists, melatonergic agents, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, 5HT-2 antagonists, and the like, such as: adinazolam, allobarbital, alonimid, alprazolam, amitriptyline, amobarbital, amoxapine, bentazepam, benzoctamine, brotizolam, bupropion, busprione, butabarbital, butalbital, capuride, carbocloral, chloral betaine, chloral hydrate, chlordiazepoxide, clomipramine, clonazepam, cloperidone, clorazepate, clorethate, clozapine, cyprazepam, desipramine, dexclamol, diazepam, dichloralphenazone, divalproex, diphenhydramine, doxepin, estazolam, ethchlorvynol, etomidate, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, fosazepam, glutethimide, halazepam, hydroxyzine, imipramine, lithium, lorazepam, lormetazepam, maprotiline, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, meprobamate, methaqualone, midaflur, midazolam, nefazodone, nisobamate, nitrazepam, nortriptyline, oxazepam, paraldehyde, paroxetine, pentobarbital, perlapine, perphenazine, phenelzine, phenobarbital, prazepam, promethazine, propofol, protriptyline, quazepam, reclazepam, roletamide, secobarbital, sertraline, suproclone, temazepam, thioridazine, tracazolate, tranylcypromaine, trazodone, triazolam, trepipam, tricetamide, triclofos, trifluoperazine, trimetozine, trimipramine, uldazepam, venlafaxine, zaleplon, zolazepam, zolpidem, and salts thereof, and combinations thereof, and the like, or the subject compound may be administered in conjunction with the use of physical methods such as with light therapy or electrical stimulation.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with levodopa (with or without a selective extracerebral decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa or benserazide), anticholinergics such as biperiden (optionally as its hydrochloride or lactate salt) and trihexyphenidyl (benzhexol) hydrochloride, COMT inhibitors such as entacapone, MOA-B inhibitors, antioxidants, A2a adenosine receptor antagonists, cholinergic agonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, serotonin receptor antagonists and dopamine receptor agonists such as alentemol, bromocriptine, fenoldopam, lisuride, naxagolide, pergolide and pramipexole.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with acetophenazine, alentemol, benzhexol, bromocriptine, biperiden, chlorpromazine, chlorprothixene, clozapine, diazepam, fenoldopam, fluphenazine, haloperidol, levodopa, levodopa with benserazide, levodopa with carbidopa, lisuride, loxapine, mesoridazine, molindolone, naxagolide, olanzapine, pergolide, perphenazine, pimozide, pramipexole, risperidone, sulpiride, tetrabenazine, trihexyphenidyl, thioridazine, thiothixene or trifluoperazine.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with a compound from the phenothiazine, thioxanthene, heterocyclic dibenzazepine, butyrophenone, diphenylbutylpiperidine and indolone classes of neuroleptic agent. Suitable examples of phenothiazines include chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine, acetophenazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine and trifluoperazine. Suitable examples of thioxanthenes include chlorprothixene and thiothixene. An example of a dibenzazepine is clozapine. An example of a butyrophenone is haloperidol. An example of a diphenylbutylpiperidine is pimozide. An example of an indolone is molindolone. Other neuroleptic agents include loxapine, sulpiride and risperidone.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with a nicotine agonist or a nicotine receptor partial agonist such as varenicline, opioid antagonists (e.g., naltrexone (including naltrexone depot), antabuse, and nalmefene), dopaminergic agents (e.g., apomorphine), ADD/ADHD agents (e.g., methylphenidate hydrochloride (e.g., Ritalin® and Concerta®), atomoxetine (e.g., Strattera®), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), amphetamines (e.g., Adderall®)) and anti-obesity agents, such as apo-B/MTP inhibitors, 11Beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase-1 (11Beta-HSD type 1) inhibitors, peptide YY3-36 or analogs thereof, MCR-4 agonists, CCK-A agonists, monoamine reuptake inhibitors, sympathomimetic agents, β3 adrenergic receptor agonists, dopamine receptor agonists, melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor analogs, 5-HT2c receptor agonists, melanin concentrating hormone receptor antagonists, leptin, leptin analogs, leptin receptor agonists, galanin receptor antagonists, lipase inhibitors, bombesin receptor agonists, neuropeptide-Y receptor antagonists (e.g., NPY Y5 receptor antagonists), thyromimetic agents, dehydroepiandrosterone or analogs thereof, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, other orexin receptor antagonists, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, ciliary neurotrophic factors, human agouti-related protein antagonists, ghrelin receptor antagonists, histamine 3 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, and neuromedin ∪ receptor agonists, and pharmaceutically acceptble salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with an anoretic agent such as aminorex, amphechloral, amphetamine, benzphetamine, chlorphentermine, clobenzorex, cloforex, clominorex, clortermine, cyclexedrine, dexfenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, diethylpropion, diphemethoxidine, N-ethylamphetamine, fenbutrazate, fenfluramine, fenisorex, fenproporex, fludorex, fluminorex, furfurylmethylamphetamine, levamfetamine, levophacetoperane, mazindol, mefenorex, metamfepramone, methamphetamine, norpseudoephedrine, pentorex, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, phentermine, phenylpropanolamine, picilorex and sibutramine; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); halogenated amphetamine derivatives, including chlorphentermine, cloforex, clortermine, dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, picilorex and sibutramine; and pharmaceutically acceptble salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with an opiate agonist, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, such as an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, such as a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, an interleukin inhibitor, such as an interleukin-1 inhibitor, an NMDA antagonist, an inhibitor of nitric oxide or an inhibitor of the synthesis of nitric oxide, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, or a cytokine-suppressing antiinflammatory agent, for example with a compound such as acetaminophen, asprin, codiene, fentanyl, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac, morphine, naproxen, phenacetin, piroxicam, a steroidal analgesic, sufentanyl, sunlindac, tenidap, and the like. Similarly, the subject compound may be administered with a pain reliever; a potentiator such as caffeine, an H2-antagonist, simethicone, aluminum or magnesium hydroxide; a decongestant such as phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudophedrine, oxymetazoline, ephinephrine, naphazoline, xylometazoline, propylhexedrine, or levo-desoxy-ephedrine; an antiitussive such as codeine, hydrocodone, caramiphen, carbetapentane, or dextramethorphan; a diuretic; and a sedating or non-sedating antihistamine.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered by oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, ICV, intracisternal injection or infusion, subcutaneous injection, or implant), by inhalation spray, nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual, or topical routes of administration and may be formulated, alone or together, in suitable dosage unit formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles appropriate for each route of administration. In addition to the treatment of warm-blooded animals such as mice, rats, horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, monkeys, etc., the compounds of the invention may be effective for use in humans.

The pharmaceutical compositions for the administration of the compounds of this invention may conveniently be presented in dosage unit form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing the active ingredient into association with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the active ingredient into association with a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. In the pharmaceutical composition the active object compound is included in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect upon the process or condition of diseases. As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

Pharmaceutical compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. Compositions for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil. Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a suitable oil. Oil-in-water emulsions may also be employed. Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present compounds may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. The compounds of the present invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions, etc., containing the compounds of the present invention may be employed. The compounds of the present invention may also be formulated for administered by inhalation. The compounds of the present invention may also be administered by a transdermal patch by methods known in the art.

Several methods for preparing the compounds of this invention are illustrated in the following Schemes and Examples. Starting materials are made according to procedures known in the art (e.g. PCT Patent Publications WO2001/68609, WO2004/085403, WO2005/118548, WO2008/147518, WO2009/143033 and WO2010/048012) or as illustrated herein. The following abbreviations are used herein: Me: methyl; Et: ethyl; t-Bu: tert-butyl; Ar: aryl; Ph: phenyl; Bn: benzyl; Ac: acetyl; Boc: tert-butyloxy carbonyl; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CbzCl: benzylchloroformate; CDI: carbonyl diimidazole; DCM: dichloromethane; DCE: dichloroethane; DEAD: diethylazodicarboxylate; DIPEA: N,N-diisopropylethylamine; DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide; DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; CH₂Cl₂: dichloromethane; EDC: N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide; Et₃N: triethylamine; EtOAc: ethylacetate; EtOH: ethanol; HCl: hydrogen chloride; HATU: (O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate); HOAt: 1-hydroxy-7-aza-benzotriazole; HOBT: hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; Hunig's base: N,N-diisopropylethylamine; MeOH: methanol; MgSO₄: magnesium sulfate; MTBE: methyl tert-butyl ether; NaHCO₃: sodium bicarbonate; NaOH: sodium hydroxide; NMM: N-methylmorpholine; PyClu: 1-(chloro-1-pyrrolidinylmethylene)-pyrrolidinium hexafluorophosphate; rt: room temperature; SOCl₂: thionyl chloride; T3P: 2,4,6-tripropyl-1,3,5,2,4,6-trioxatriphosphorinane-2,4,6-trioxide; THF: tetrahydrofuran; TFA: trifluoracetic acid. The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a variety of fashions.

In some cases the final product may be further modified, for example, by manipulation of substituents. These manipulations may include, but are not limited to, reduction, oxidation, alkylation, acylation, and hydrolysis reactions which are commonly known to those skilled in the art. In some cases the order of carrying out the foregoing reaction schemes may be varied to facilitate the reaction or to avoid unwanted reaction products. The following examples are provided so that the invention might be more fully understood. These examples are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

INTERMEDIATES Intermediate A 2-(1-Cyanocyclopropyl) benzoic acid

Step 1: Methyl 2-(1-cyanocyclopropyl)benzoate (A1)

To a solution of NaH (1.1 g, 26.2 mmol) in DMSO (20 mL) was added methyl 2-(cyanomethyl)benzoate (2 g, 11.4 mmol); after stirring at RT under nitrogen for 1 h, 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (1.8 g, 12.6 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at RT for 2 h. The mixture was quenched with ice water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude compound, which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether/EtOAc 20:1) to give the title compound (2 g) as a solid. MS (ESI) m/e (M+H⁺) detected.

Step 2: 2-(1-Cyanocyclopropyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate A)

To a solution of the product from step 1 in THF/MeOH/H₂O (3:1:1, 16 mL) was added lithium hydroxide in water (3 mL) and the mixture stirred overnight at RT. The THF and MeOH were removed in vacuo and the resulting solution acidified to pH ˜1 with HCl (1 N) to give a crystalline precipitate. The solid was isolated by filtration, washed with water and dried in vacuo to afford intermediate A as a solid. MS (ESI) m/e (M+H⁺): 187.9.

Intermediate B 4-(Pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1: 4-Pyrimidin-2-yl-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (B1)

To a degassed solution of 4-bromothiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1 g, 4.3 mmol), 2-tributylstannanylpyrimidine (1.587 g, 4.3 mmol) and CsF (1.3 g, 8.6 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.5 g, 0.43 mmol) and CuI (0.16 g, 0.86 mmol). The mixture was heated under microwave conditions at 110° C. for 45 minutes, cooled and diluted with sat NH₄Cl solution and water. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×5) and the combined organic layers dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether:EtOAc=10:1) to provide the title compound (1.06 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 235.0 found, 235.0 required.

Step 2: 4-Pyrimidin-2-yl-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate B)

The title compound was prepared from the product of step 1 using the procedure described for the synthesis of compound F2. LRMS m/z (M+H) 207.0 found, 207.0 required.

Intermediate C 2-(2H-Tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic acid

To a 20 mL microwave tube was charged 2-iodobenzoic acid (1.85 g, 7.46 mmol), cesium carbonate (4.06 g, 12.5 mmol), copper(I) iodide (0.128 g, 0.671 mmol), and DMA (8.0 mL). N,N′-Dimethylglycine (0.131 g, 1.27 mmol) and tetrazole (1.29 g, 18.4 mmol) were added, and the solution irradiated in a microwave reactor at 100° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide and washed with EtOAc. The aqueous fraction was acidified with conc. HCl and extracted 2× with EtOAc. The combined organic fractions were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography [0-85% (1% acetic acid in EtOAc) in hexanes], to provide the title compound. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): ä7.72-7.84 (m, 3H), 8.07 (dd, J=7.6, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.90 (s, 1H) ppm. LRMS m/z (M+H) 191.1 found, 191.2.

Intermediate D 2-(2H)-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

A solution of 2-bromo-3-thiophene carboxylic acid (1.50 g, 7.24 mmol), 1H-1,2,3-triazole (0.600 g, 8.69 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.00 g, 14.5 mmol), and copper iodide (0.138 g, 0.724 mmol) in DMF (36.2 mL) was sparged with nitrogen and heated to 75° C. for 96 h. The cooled reaction mixture was diluted with water, washed with ether, and acidified with conc. HCl. The acidic aqueous solution was extracted 3× with EtOAc and the combined organic fractions washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography [0-70% (1% acetic acid in EtOAc) in hexanes], to provide the title compound as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 196.2 found, 196.1 required.

Intermediate E Potassium 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylate

Step 1: Methyl 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylate (E1)

A solution of 2-bromo-3-thiophene carboxylic acid (3.35 g, 16.2 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was cooled to 0° C. and saturated with gaseous HCl. The solution was heated to 60° C. overnight, cooled and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was redissolved in EtOAc, washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo, providing methyl 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylate as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 221.1 found, 221.0 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylate (E2)

A solution of the product from step 1 (1.74 g, 7.87 mmol), 2-(tributylstannyl) pyrimidine (4.36 g, 11.81 mmol), CsF (4.78 g, 31.5 mmol), and copper(I) iodide (0.450 g, 2.36 mmol) in DMF (16 mL) in a pressure vessel was sparged with nitrogen and treated with Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.455 g, 0.394 mmol). The mixture was sealed and heated at 120° C. overnight. The cooled reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and water and filtered through celite. The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (0-30% EtOAc in hexanes), to provide the title compound as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 221.2 found, 221.1 required.

Step 3: Potassium 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylate (Intermediate E)

A solution of the product from step 2 (0.695 g, 3.16 mmol) and potassium trimethylsilanolate (0.506 g, 3.94 mmol) in THF (16 mL) was stirred at RT overnight, then diluted with ether and filtered through a glass frit. The solids were washed with ether, and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo, to provide the title compound as a beige solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 207.3 found, 207.1 required.

Intermediate F 4-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1: 4-Bromo-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (F1)

To a solution of 3,4-dibromothiophene (30 g, 0.12 mol) in THF (200 mL) at 0° C. was added i-PrMgCl (2.0 M solution in THF, 77 mL, 0.15 mol), keeping the temperature below 5° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. for 5 h, ethyl chloroformate (14.4 mL, 0.15 mol) added dropwise at <10° C. and the resulting mixture warmed to RT, stirred overnight and quenched with the sat aqueous NH₄Cl. Most of the THF was then removed in vacuo, water added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (80 mL×4). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the crude product purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether:EtOAc=300:1) to provide the title compound (21 g) as an oil.

Step 2: 4-Bromo-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (F2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (10 g, 43 mmol) in methanol (60 mL) was added sodium hydroxide (3.4 g, 86 mmol) and water (1 mL) and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, the residue diluted with water (30 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (25 mL×4). The pH of aqueous layer was adjusted to ˜3 with 1M HCl and the aqueous phase extracted with EtOAc (25 mL×4). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to provide the title compound (7.9 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 206.9, 208.9 found, 206.9, 208.9 required.

Step 3: 4-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate F)

To a mixture of the product from step 2 (7.9 g, 38 mmol), cesium carbonate (24.8 g, 76 mmol) and CuI (2.88 g, 7.6 mmol) in DMF (200 mL) were added 2H-[1,2,3]triazole (5.24 g, 76 mmol) and N,N′-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (0.9 g, 6.5 mmol) and the mixture was heated to 110° C. overnight. The cooled reaction mixture was adjusted to ˜pH12 with 1M sodium hydroxide and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The aqueous layer was adjusted to ˜pH 4 with 1M HCl and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×4). The extracts was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica (Petroleum ether:EtOAc=10:1) to provide the title compound (4.1 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 196.0 found, 196.0 required.

Intermediate G 5-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid

Step 1: 5-Bromo-isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (G1)

To a solution of isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (1.70 g, 12.98 mmol) in THF (17 ml) was added t-BuLi (29.95 mL) at −78° C., and then a solution of CBr₄ (8.62 g, 25.96 mmol) in THF (10 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 2 h, quenched with addition of saturated aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH ˜1.5 by addition of HCl, and then extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo providing the title compound (1.50 g), which was used without further purification.

Step 2: 5-[1,2,3]Triazol-2-yl-isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (Intermediate G)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (1.50 g, 7.25 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) were added potassium carbonate (2.00 g, 14.5 mmol), CuI (138 mg, 0.725 mmol) and 2H-1, 2, 3-triazole (0.6 g, 8.70 mmol) and the mixture heated at 110° C. for 16 h. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH ˜1.5 by addition of HCl, and then extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-HPLC, providing the title compound as a solid (121 mg).

Intermediate H 4-Fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid

To a mixture of 2-bromo-4-fluorobenzoic acid (30 g, 137 mmol), cesium carbonate (89.26 g, 274 mmol) and CuI (5.27 g, 27.4 mmol) in DMF (200 mL) were added N,N′-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine (3.7 mL, 23.3 mmol) and 1H-1,2,3-triazole (18.92 g, 274 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 110° C. overnight, cooled, concentrated in vacuo and diluted with water (150 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (300 mL×3). The aqueous layer was acidified with 2N HCl and extracted with EtOAc (300 mL×4). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (150 mL×3), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether:EtOAc=100:1˜5:1) to provide the title compound (18.13 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 208.0 found, 208.0 required.

Intermediate I 2-Propylnicotinic acid

Step 1: Methyl 2-allylnicotinate (I1)

To a solution of methyl 2-chloronicotinate (300 mg, 1.75 mmol) in dioxane/H₂O (2 mL/1 mL) were added 2-allyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (354 mg, 2.11 mmol), K₂CO₃ (605 mg, 4.39 mmol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (203 mg, 0.175 mmol) and the resulting mixture heated at 100° C. for 3 hours. The cooled mixture was diluted with water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the crude product purified by Prep-TLC (9% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (200 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 178.2 found, 178.1 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-propylnicotinate (I2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (4.8 g, 27.1 mmol) in EtOAc (200 mL) was added Pd/C (500 mg, 10 wt %). The resulting mixture was stirred under H₂ at RT overnight. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (4.7 g) as an oil which was used directly without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 180.2 found, 180.1 required.

Step 3: 2-Propylnicotinic acid (Intermediate I)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (4.7 g, 26.3 mmol) in MeOH/H₂O (40 mL/40 mL) was added LiOH.H₂O (1.65 g, 39.4 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred RT overnight. The mixture was diluted with water (50 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (70 mL×4). The aqueous layer was acidified with 2 M HCl to pH˜2 and extracted with EtOAc (200 mL×7). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the crude product purified by chromatography on silica (50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to provide the title compound (3.4 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 166.1 found, 166.1 required.

Intermediate J 5-Methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1: Ethyl 2-amino-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylate (J1)

A mixture of ethyl 2-cyanoacetate (9.7 g, 90 mmol), TEA (5.15 g, 51 mmol) and sublimed sulfur in DMF (30 mL) was stirred at 15° C. for 15 mins. Propionaldehyde (5.0 g, 90 mmol) was added dropwise, the reaction mixture stirred for 3 hours, diluted with EtOAc (70 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether:EtOAc=10:1 to 1:1) to give the title compound (7.4 g). LCMS m/z (M+H) 186.2 found, 186.1 required.

Step 2: Ethyl 2-bromo-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylate (J2)

A mixture of tert-butyl nitrite (6.67 g, 64.8 mmol) and CuBr₂ in acetonitrile (80 mL) was stirred at 0° C. for 30 mins and a solution of the product from step 1 (6.0 g, 32.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h diluted with EtOAc (70 mL), washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether:EtOAc=100:0 to 90:10) to give the title compound (4.1 g) as an oil.

Step 3: 2-Bromo-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylic acid (J3)

A solution of the product from step 2 (3.0 g, 12 mmol) and LiOH.hydrate (1.51 g, 36 mmol) in 15 mL of ethanol and 15 mL of water was stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was adjusted to ˜pH 3 with 1N HCl and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3), and the combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a solid (350 mg), which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step 4: 5-Methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate J)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (1.4 g, 6.33 mmol), cesium carbonate (6.17 g, 19.0 mmol) and CuI (0.12 g, 0.633 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) was added N,N′-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (0.1 mL) and 1H-1,2,3-triazole (873 mL, 12.66 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 110° C. overnight and the cooled mixture concentrated in vacuo, diluted with water (50 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The aqueous layer was acidified with 2N HCl and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×4). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (50 mL×3), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether:EtOAc=1:1) to give the title compound (700 mg) as an solid. LCMS m/z (M+H) 210.0 found, 210.0 required.

Intermediate K 2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)nicotinic acid

To a suspension of 2,2-difluoroethanol (492 mg, 6.0 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added NaH (180 mg, 4.5 mmol), and the mixture stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h. A suspension of 2-fluoronicotinic acid (423 mg, 3.0 mmol) and NaH (180 mg, 4.5 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added dropwise at 0° C. and the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was diluted with water, acidified to pH-3 with 1M HCl and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude product 2 (350 mg) which was used directly without any further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 204.1 found, 204.0 required.

Intermediate L 2-(2,2,2-Trifluoroethoxy)nicotinic acid

Step 1: tert-Butyl 4-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-1,4-diazepane-1-carboxylate (Intermediate L)

To 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (600 mg, 6.0 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 0° C., was added NaH (180 mg, 4.5 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h, and a suspension of 2-fluoronicotinic acid (423 mg, 3.0 mmol) and NaH (180 mg, 4.5 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) added dropwise at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight, water added and the mixture adjusted pH-3 with 1M HCl and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (340 mg) used directly without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 222.0 found, 222.0 required.

Intermediate M 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)benzoic acid

Step 1: (E)-Methyl 2-(2-methoxyvinyl)benzoate (M1)

To a suspension of (methoxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (9.44 g, 27.4 mmol) in THF (50 mL) was added NaH (1.46 g, 36.6 mmol) at 0° C. portion wise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h and then a solution of methyl 2-formylbenzoate (3.0 g, 18.3 mmol) in THF (15 mL) added dropwise and the reaction mixture stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was diluted with water, extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×2) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether:EtOAc=10:1 to 3:1) to give the title compound (2.3 g) as an oil.

Step 2: Methyl 2-(2-methoxyethyl)benzoate (M2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (2.3 g, 11.9 mmol) in EtOAc (30 mL) was added Pd/C (200 mg) at RT and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight under a balloon of H₂. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (2.2 g), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 3: 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate M)

A mixture of the product from step 2 (2.2 g, 11.3 mmol) and LiOH (1.43 g, 33.9 mmol) in methanol (15 mL) and water (15 mL) was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was adjusted to ˜pH 3 with 1N HCl and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3), and the combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a solid (1.5 g), which was used in the next step without further purification.

Intermediate N 2-(4-Cyanotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)benzoic acid

Step 1: Methyl 2-(4-cyanotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)benzoate (N1)

To a suspension of NaH (27.4 g, 0.69 mol, 60%) in DMF was added dropwise a solution of methyl 2-(cyanomethyl)benzoate (50 g, 0.29 mol) in DMF at 0° C. under N₂. The mixture was stirred for 30 mins at that temperature and 18-crown-6 (7.6 g, 0.03 mol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 30 mins at 0° C., NaI (42.9 g, 0.29 mol) was added, followed by dropwise addition of a solution of bis(2-bromoethyl)ether (79.6 g, 0.34 mol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h and poured into a large amount of ice-water. The resulting mixture was filtered to give the title compound as a solid (42.7 g). MS (ESI) m/e (M+H⁺): 246.0

Step 2: 2-(4-Cyanotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)benzoic acid (Intermediate N)

To a solution of the compound from step 1 (40 g) in MeOH/THF (480 mL, 5:1) was added NaOH (2M, 326 mL). The reaction was stirred at 60-65° C. for 3 h, cooled to RT and concentrated in vacuo. Water (300 mL) was added the pH adjusted to ˜1 with HCl (2M). The mixture was filtered to give intermediate M (34 g) as a solid.

MS (ESI) m/e (M−H^(|)): 230.0

Intermediate O 2-(2,2-Difluorocyclopropyl)benzoic acid

Step 1: Methyl 2-vinylbenzoate (O1)

To a solution of methyl 2-bromobenzoate (1.2 g, 5.5 mmol) in dioxane/water (15 mL/0.6 mL) were added 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-vinyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (1.7 g, 11.1 mmol), K₂CO₃ (1.53 g, 11.1 mmol) and Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (0.4 g) and the resulting mixture stirred at 100° C. overnight. The cooled mixture was diluted with water (20 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (9.1% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (0.7 g) as an oil.

Step 2: Methyl 2-(2,2-difluorocyclopropyl)benzoate (O2)

A mixture of the product from step 1 (500 mg, 3.09 mmol) and KI (1.15 g, 6.94 mmol) in DME (27.8 mg, 0.31 mmol) and dioxane (461.7 mg, 5.25 mmol) was stirred at 120° C. for 5 minutes. TMSCl (667 mg, 6.17 mmol) and methyl 2,2-difluoro-2-(fluorosulfonyl)acetate (1.2 g, 6.17 mmol) were added and the resulting mixture stirred at 120° C. for 24 h. Water was added to the cooled mixture and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (10 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to afford the title compound (200 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 213.1 found, 213.2 required.

Step 3: 2-(2,2-Difluorocyclopropyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate O)

A solution of the product from step 2 (170 mg, 0.8 mmol) and LiOH.H₂O (23 mg, 0.55 mmol) in THF: H₂O: MeOH (2:2:1) was stirred at 0° C. overnight. The mixture was diluted with water (6 mL), then adjusted to pH ˜2 with 1 M HCl and extracted with EtOAc (8 mL×3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (80 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 199.0 found, 199.2 required.

Intermediate P 2-Cyclobutyl-6-methoxynicotinic acid

Step 1: Methyl 2-chloro-6-methoxynicotinate (P1)

To a solution of 2-chloro-6-methoxynicotinic acid (5 g, 26.7 mmol) in a mixture of DCM (50 mL) and MeOH (5 mL) at 0° C. was added (trimethylsilyl) diazomethane (16.0 mL, 32.0 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 min, quenched with acetic acid (4 mL), and extracted with DCM (50 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (5 g) as a solid used without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 202.2, 204.2 found, 202.2, 204.2 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-cyclobutyl-6-methoxynicotinate (P2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (1.0 g, 4.96 mmol) in THF (10.0 mL) at RT were added cyclobutylzinc (II) bromide (19.8 mL, 0.5M, 9.92 mmol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (1.15 g, 0.99 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. under overnight, cooled to RT, poured into water (50 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether) to give the title compound (600 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 222.2 found, 222.2 required.

Step 3: 2-Cyclobutyl-6-methoxynicotinic acid (Intermediate P)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (600 mg, 2.71 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) and water (4 mL) at RT was added sodium hydroxide (542 mg, 13.6 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight, diluted with water, acidified with 1N HCl and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (500 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 208.2 found, 208.2 required.

Intermediate Q 3-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid

Step 1: 3-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (Intermediate Q)

To a solution of 3-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (5.0 g, 31.5 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) were added K₂CO₃ (10.9 g, 79 mmol), CuI (1.2 g, 6.31 mmol) and 2H-1,2,3-triazole (4.36 g, 63.1 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 120° C. overnight, cooled to RT and acidified with HCl (2 M) to pH˜3. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc) to give crude product (1.5 g) as a solid, which was further purified by preparative HPLC to afford the title compound (850 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 192.2 found, 192.0 required.

Example 1

1-(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl) phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile Step 1: Methyl 2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (1)

A mixture of 2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid (6.0 g, 53 mmol) in SOCl₂ (50 mL) was stirred at 70° C. for 40 minutes. The cooled mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give crude 2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chloride which was added to MeOH (50 mL) dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 2 minutes. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and recrystallized from MeOH to give the title compound (6.5 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 128.2 found, 128.1 required.

Step 2: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (6.5 g, 50.8 mmol), (2R,5S)-benzyl 5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (WO2013/059222) (12.6 g, 50.8 mmol) and Ph₃P (26.6 g, 101.6 mmol) in THF (300 mL) at 0° C. was added DIAD (20.5 g, 101.6 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 16 h, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (7.0 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 359.1 found, 359.2 required.

Step 3: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (3)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (7.0 g, 20 mmol) in THF at 0° C., (150 mL) was added methylmagnesium bromide (20.0 mL, 60 mmol, 3M in ether) and the resulting mixture stirred at 0° C. for 2 h. Saturated aqueous NH₄Cl was added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (200 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (6.0 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M−OH) 341.3 (M−OH) found, 341.2 required.

Step 4: 2-(2-((3R,6R)-6-Methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (4)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (6.0 g, 16.7 mmol) in EtOH (150 mL) was added Pd/C (600 mg, 10 wt %) at RT. The resulting mixture was stirred under a balloon of H₂ for 2 h. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (4.0 g) as an oil, which was used directly without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 225.3 found, 225.2 required.

Step 5: 1-(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile (Example 1)

A mixture of HATU (122 mg, 0.320 mmol), 2-(1-cyanocyclopropyl) benzoic acid (Intermediate A) (30 mg, 0.16 mmol), DIEA (62 mg, 0.48 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes. The product from step 4 (36.2 mg, 0.160 mmol) was then added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 16 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (9.4 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 416.1 found, 416.2 required.

The following compounds were prepared according to the methodology herein and the general procedure of step 5 provided in Example 1. The starting materials are either commercially available or may be prepared as described in the synthesis of intermediates, or may be prepared from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions well known in the art.

Ex. Structure Name Mass [M + H]+ 2

[1,1′-Biphenyl]-2-yl((2R,5R)-5-(4- (2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1- yl)methanone Calc′d 405.2, found 387.2 (M − OH), 427.2 (M + Na) 3

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2- yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2- propylpyridin-3-yl)methanone Calc′d 372.2, found 372.2 4

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2- yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2- propylphenyl)methanone Calc′d 371.2, found 353.2 (M − OH), 393.2 (M + Na) 5

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2- yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2- isopropylphenyl)methanone Calc′d 371.2, found 353.2 (M − OH), 393.2 (M + Na) 6

(2-Cyclopropylphenyl)((2R,5R)-5- (4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone Calc′d 369.2, found 351.2 (M − OH), 393.1 (M + Na) 7

(2-(Difluoromethoxy)pyridin-3- yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2- hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1- yl)methanone Calc′d 396.2, found 378.1 (M − OH), 418.1 (M + Na) 8

Methyl 3-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hy- droxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1- carbonyl)picolinate Calc′d 388.2, found 370.1 (M − OH), 410.1 (M + Na) 9

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2- yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethyl)phenyl)methanone Calc′d 411.2, found 393.1 (M − OH), 433.1 (M + Na) 10

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2- yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(4-methyl- 1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-3- yl)methanone Calc′d 410.2, found 410.2 11

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-({2- [(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]pheny} carbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 429.1, found 411.1 (M − OH),

Example 12

(2-Ethoxyphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperi-din-1-yl)methanone (Example 12)

A mixture of HATU (251 mg, 0.66 mmol), 2-ethoxybenzoic acid (37.0 mg, 0.22 mmol), DIEA (85.2 mg, 0.66 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 16 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (8.3 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 395.2 found, 395.2 required.

Example 13

(2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 13)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)nicotinic acid (40 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min, then piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (47 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 432.1 found, 432.2 required.

Example 14

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)methanone (Example 14)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)nicotinic acid (41 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) added and the mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (38 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 450.1 (M+Na) found, 450.2 required.

Example 15

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopro-poxypyridin-3-yl)methanone (Example 15)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-isopropoxynicotinic acid (36 mg, 0.2 mmol) and DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (46 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 410.2 found, 410.2 required.

Example 16

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)methanone (Example 16)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)benzoic acid (50 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (43 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 449.1 found, 449.2 required.

Example 17

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopropoxyphenyl)methanone (Example 17)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-isopropoxybenzoic acid (50 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (28 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 409.2 found, 409.2 required.

Example 18

(2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 18)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)benzoic acid (40 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) added and the mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (30 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 431.1 found, 431.2 required.

Example 19

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)methanone (Example 19)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoic acid (41 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was stirred for 10 min and piperidine intermediate 4 (Example 1 step 4) (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) added and the mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. Then the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (35 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 435.1 found, 435.2 required.

Example 20

Methyl 2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)benzoate (Example 20)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid (36 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes. Then piperidine intermediate 4 (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Then the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (61.3 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 409.1 found, 409.2 required.

Example 21

(2-(Difluoromethoxy)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 21)

A mixture of HATU (152 mg, 0.4 mmol), 2-(difluoromethoxy)benzoic acid (38 mg, 0.2 mmol), DIEA (52 mg, 0.4 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes. Then piperidine intermediate 4 (50 mg, 0.22 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Then the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (59.3 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 417.1 found, 417.2 required.

Examples 22 and 23

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1S)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 22) and 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1R)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 23)

To a solution of piperidine intermediate 4 (62.7 mg, 0.28 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) was added HATU (190 mg, 0.5 mmol), 2-(2,2-difluorocyclopropyl)benzoic acid (50 mg, 0.25 mmol) and DIPEA (81.3 mg, 0.63 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by preparative HPLC and then chiral HPLC SFC (OD 250×30 mm I.D., 5 um, CO₂/EtOH (0.1%) NH₃.H₂O=85/15 at 50 mL/min) to give Example 22 (22 mg, faster eluting isomer in SFC) as a solid and Example 23 (20 mg, slower eluting isomer in SFC) as a solid. Example 22: LRMS m/z (M−OH) 387.2 found, 405.2 (M+H) required. Example 23: LRMS m/z (M−OH) 387.1 found, 405.2 (M+H) required.

Example 24

Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate Step 1: (3S, 6R)-6-Methylpiperidin-3-ol (5)

To a solution of (2R,5S)-benzyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (5 g, 20.1 mmol) in MeOH at RT was added Pd/C (1.0 g, 10 wt %). The mixture was stirred for 3 hours under an atmosphere of hydrogen gas, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (2.20 g) as an oil, used directly without purification. LRMS m/z 116.1 (M+H) found, 116.1 required.

Step 2: (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R, 5S)-5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (6)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (2.20 g, 19.1 mmol) and Et₃N (3.86 g, 38.2 mmol) in DCM (100 mL) at 0° C. was added 2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride (4.60 g, 22.2 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, diluted with water (200 mL) and extracted with DCM (100 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (4.90 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 287.1 found, 287.1 required.

Step 3: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (Example 24)

To a solution of methyl 2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (Example 1, step 1) (200 mg, 1.57 mmol), the product from step 2 (449 mg, 1.57 mmol), and Ph₃P (812 mg, 3.1 mmol) in THF at 0° C. was added DIAD (632 mg, 3.1 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 4 h, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (60 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 396.2 found, 396.2 required.

Example 25

(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 25)

To a solution of 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (Example 24) (200 mg, 0.5 mmol) in THF (3 mL) was added methylmagnesium bromide (0.5 mL, 1.5 mmol, 3M in ether) at 0° C. dropwise under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours. Then the mixture was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl aqueous solution, extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (150 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+Na) 418.1 found, 418.2 required.

Examples 26 and 27

-   Scheme for the preparation of Example 26 and Example 27:

(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl) ((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 26) (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 27) Step 1: (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (7)

To a solution of 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (Example 24) (300 mg, 0.76 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added LiBH₄ (330 mg, 0.160 mmol) at 0° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was filtered and the filtrated was purified by Prep-TLC (EtOAc) to give the title compound (250 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 368.2 found, 368.2 required.

Step 2: 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbaldehyde (8)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (100 mg, 0.3 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added Dess-Martin reagent (254 mg, 0.6 mmol) at 0° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was purified by Prep-TLC (EtOAc) to give the title compound (70 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 366.1 found, 366.2 required.

Step 3: (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl) ((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 26) and (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 27)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (70 mg, 0.212 mmol) and CsF (36.5 mg, 0.240 mmol) in THF (4 mL) was added TMSCF₃ (43.0 mg, 0.300 mmol) at 0° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 3 hours. Then the mixture was diluted with water (20 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC (EtOAc) and then chiral SFC (Chiralpak AD-3 150×4.6 mm I.D., 3 um, iso-propanol (0.05% DEA) in CO2 from 5% to 40% at 2.5 mL/min) to give Example 26 (16.3 mg, faster eluting isomer) and Example 27 (14.2 mg, slower eluting isomer) respectively as an oil. Example 26: LRMS m/z (M+H) 436.1 found, 436.2 required. Example 27: LRMS m/z (M+H) 436.1 found, 436.2 required.

Example 28

(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 28)

To a solution of (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5S)-5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 22, step 2) (80 mg, 0.28 mmol), Ph₃P (147 mg, 0.56 mmol) and 4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole (81 mg, 0.56 mmol) in dry THF (1 mL) was added DEAD (96 mg, 0.56 mmol) at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature overnight. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (77 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 414.2 found, 414.2 required.

The following compound was prepared according to the general procedure of step 1 provided in Example 28, substituting the appropriate triazole with 4-bromo-2H-1,2,3-triazole. The starting materials are commercially available.

Ex. Structure Name Mass [M + H]+ 29

(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5- (4-bromo-2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-1- yl)methanone Calc′d 416.1, 418.1 found 416.1, 418.1

Example 30

(5-Fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (Example 30)

To a solution of 2-(2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) propan-2-ol (25 mg, 0.111 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) was added 5-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (27.3 mg, 0.134 mmol), EDC (42.7 mg, 0.223 mmol), Hunig's base (39 μL, 0.223 mmol), and HOAT (15 mg, 0.111 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at RT. The mixture was diluted with water and EtOAc, extracted with EtOAc (1 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (hexanes/EtOAc 1:2) to give the title compound (26 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+) 429.2 found, 429.2 required.

The following compounds were prepared according to the methodology herein or the general procedure of Example 30. The starting materials are either commercially available or may be prepared as described in the synthesis of intermediates, or may be prepared from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions well known in the art.

Mass Ex. Structure Name [M + H]+ 31

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 414.0, found 414.2 32

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)thiophen-2- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 402.0, found 402.2 33

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 402.0, found 402.2 34

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H- tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3- yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 397.0, found 397.2 35

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[5-fluoro-2-(3-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 429.0, found 429.2 36

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(3-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 411.0, found 411.2 37

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(5-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 429.0, found 429.2 38

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[5-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 414.0, found 414.2 39

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 414.0, found 414.2 40

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(5-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 429.0, found 429.2 41

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(3-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 429.0, found 429.2 42

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(3-pyridin-2- ylpyrazin-2-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}- 2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 408.0, found 408.2 43

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(1H- pyrazol-1-yl)pyrazin-2- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 397.0, found 397.2 44

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2- methoxyethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 387.0, found 387.2 45

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[6-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 427.0, found 427.2 46

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methy]-1-{[3-methyl-2- (2H-1,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 410.0, found 410.2 47

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(5-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 411.0, found 411.2 48

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(3-methyl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 429.0, found 429.2 49

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-pyrrolidin- 1-ylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 398.0, found 398.2 50

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(3- phenoxyphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}- 2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 421.0, found 421.2 51

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-methoxy-6-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 426.0, found 426.2 52

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[5-methyl-2- (2H-1,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 410.0, found 410.2 53

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-methyl-6- (2H-1,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 410.0, found 410.2 54

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 426.0, found 426.2 55

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[6-methyl-2- (2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 411.0, found 411.2 56

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2- (methoxymethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 373.0, found 373.2 57

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-(pyrazolo[1,5- a]pyridin-7-ylcarbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 369.2, found 369.4 58

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)pyridin-2- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 397.2, found 397.4 59

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3- triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3- triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 397.2, found 397.4 60

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-Cyclopropylpyridin-3- yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 370.2, found 370.4

Example 61

1-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}ethanol Step 1: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (9)

To a solution of (2R,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidi-1-carboxylate (600 mg, 1.67 mmol) in THF (20 mL) at RT was added Pd/C (100 mg, 10 wt %). The resulting mixture was stirred under a H₂ atmosphere for 20 h, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (334 mg) as an oil, used directly in the next step. LRMS m/z (M+H) 225.1 found, 225.1 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)nicotinoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (10)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (330 mg, 1.47 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added TEA (445 mg, 4.41 mmol), HATU (615 mg, 1.62 mmol) and 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy) nicotinic acid (298 mg, 1.47 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 30° C. for 16 h. cooled to RT, brine (20 mL) added and the mixture extracted with DCM (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (10%-30% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (600 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 410.2 found, 410.2 required.

Step 3: (2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2,2-Difluoro ethoxy)nicotinoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid (11)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (600 mg, 1.47 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and water (5 mL) was added LiOH.H2O (308 mg, 7.35 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 4 h, diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL×1). The aqueous phase was adjusted to pH˜6 with HCl (2M) and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (610 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 396.2 found, 396.1 required.

Step 4: 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)nicotinoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide (12)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (600 mg, 1.51 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) was added TEA (715 mg, 7.08 mmol), N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (207 mg, 2.13 mmol) and HATU (809 mg, 2.13 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred 4 h at 30° C., cooled to RT and concentrated in vacuo to remove most of solvent. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (580 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 439.4 found, 439.2 required.

Step 5: 1-(2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)nicotinoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethanone(13)

To a solution of the product from step 4 (200 mg, 0.46 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at −20° C. was added MeMgBr solution (0.5 mL, 3M, 1.5 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, aqueous NH₄Cl (5 mL) added and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (150 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 394.2 found, 394.2 required.

Step 6: 1-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}ethanol (Example 61)

To a solution of the product from step 5 (100 mg, 0.25 mmol) in THF (3 mL) at −20° C. was added iPrMgBr solution (0.83 mL, 3M, 2.5 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was warmed from −20 to 0° C. over 4 h, aqueous NH₄Cl (5 mL) added and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (30 mg) as a solid. LC-MS m/z (M+H) 396.2 found, 396.2 required.

Example 62

2-{5-Methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Step 1: Ethyl 5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (15)

To a solution of ethyl but-2-ynoate (6.0 g, 0.0536 mol) in CH₃CN (20 mL) was added TMSN₃ (15.4 g, 0.134 mol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 30 h, cooled to RT and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (0˜50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (700 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 156.1 found, 156.1 required.

Step 2: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (16)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (570 mg, 3.65 mmol), (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5S)-5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (1.04 g, 3.65 mmol) and Ph₃P (2.06 g, 7.29 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at 0° C. was added DIAD (1.9 g, 7.29 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 16 h, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica (0˜70% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (1.37 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 424.2 found, 424.2 required.

Step 3: 2-{5-Methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 62)

To a solution of CeCl₃ (145 mg, 0.59 mmol) in THF (2 mL) at 0° C. was added MeMgBr (2.0 mL, 3 M, 5.9 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 2 h, cooled to −20° C. and the product from step 2 (500 mg, 1.18 mmol) in THF (6 mL) added. The mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 30 min and then at RT for 16 h, saturated aq. NH₄Cl added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (9.4 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M−OH) 392.2, (M+H) 410.2 found, 410.2 required.

Example 63

2-{5-Methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Step 1: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (17)

To a solution of ethyl 5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (800 mg, 5.16 mmol, Example 60, step 1), (2R,5S)-benzyl 5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (1.4 g, 5.68 mmol) and Ph₃P (2.71 g, 10.3 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at 0° C. was added DIAD (2.7 g, 10.3 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 8 h under N₂ atmosphere, concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica (0˜50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (1.50 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 387.1 found, 387.2 required.

Step 2: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (18)

To a solution of MeMgBr (2.4 mL, 3M, 7.2 mmol) in dry THF (1 mL) at −20° C. was added the product from step 1 (700 mg, 1.81 mmol) in THF (7 mL) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 4 h, saturated aq. NH₄Cl added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (400 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 373.2, (M−OH) 355.3 found, 373.2 required.

Step 3: 2-(243R,6R)-6-Methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (19)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (300 mg, 0.804 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added Pd/C (150 mg, 10 wt %). The resulting mixture was stirred under a balloon of H₂ for 2 h, the mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (150 mg) as an oil, which was used directly without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 239.1 found, 239.2 required.

Step 4: 2-{5-Methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 63)

To a solution of HATU (84 mg, 0.220 mmol), 2-isopropoxynicotinic acid (35 mg, 0.191 mmol (35 mg, 0.191 mmol), DIEA (76 mg, 0.588 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) was added the product from step 3 (35 mg, 0.147 mmol) in DMF (1 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 16 h and purified directly by preparative-HPLC to give the title compound (25 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 402.1, (M−OH) 384.2 found, 402.2 required.

The following compounds were prepared according to the methodology herein and the general procedure of step 4 provided in Example 63. The starting materials are either commercially available or may be prepared as described in the synthesis of intermediates, or may be prepared from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions well known in the art.

Ex. Structure Name Mass [M + H]+ 64

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2- Difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3- yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 424.2 (M + H), found 406.1 (M − OH), 446.1 (M + Na) 65

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2- Ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl- 2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 388.2 (M + H), found 370.2 (M − OH), 410.1 (M + Na) 66

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2- (Difluoromethoxy)phenyl] carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3- yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 409.2 (M + H), found 391.1 (M − OH), 431.1 (M + Na) 67

2-{5-Methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6- methyl-1-{[2- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 427.2 (M + H), found 409.1 (M − OH), 449.1 (M + Na) 68

2-{5-mMethyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6- methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 442.2 (M + H), found 424.1 (M − OH), 464.1 (M + Na) 69

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2- Ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl- 2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 387.2 (M + H), found 369.2 (M − OH), 409.1 (M + Na) 70

2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2- Cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl- 2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 383.2 (M + H), found 365.2 (M − OH), 405.1 (M + Na) 71

2-{5-Methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6- methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3- yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan- 2-ol Calc′d 409.2 (M + H), found 391.2 (M − OH), 431.2 (M + Na) 72

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-Fluoro-2- (2H-1,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl- 2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 428.2 (M + H), found 410.1 (M − OH), 450.1 (M + Na) 73

2-(5-Methyl-2-{(3R,6R)-6- methyl-1-[(2-phenylpyridin-3- yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 420.2 (M + H), found 420.2 (M + H), 442.2 (M + Na)

Example 74

2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-tetrazol-5-yl}propan-2-ol Step 1: Methyl 2-((3S,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-tetrazole-5-carboxylate (20)

To a solution of compound 6 (Example 22, Step 2) (400 mg, 1.40 mmol), PPh₃ (733 mg, 2.80 mmol) and 1H-tetrazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (239 mg, 1.68 mmol) in dry THF (4 mL) at RT was added DBAD (644 mg, 2.80 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at 60° C. overnight. The cooled mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by preparative HPLC to give a mixture of the title compound (46.3 mg) and regioisomeric triazole substitution product as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 397.1 found, 397.2 required.

Step 2: 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-tetrazol-5-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 74)

To a solution of the crude product from step 1 (200 mg, 0.49 mmol) in dry THF (4 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of CH₃MgBr (0.49 mL, 3 M, 1.47 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h, then water (2 mL) added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (5 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give desired product (20.7 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 397.2 found, 397.2 required.

Example 75

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Step 1: (3S,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-ylmethanesulfonate (21)

To a solution of compound 6 (Example 22, Step 2) (2.0 g, 7.2 mmol) and DIEA (1.81 g, 14.4 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) at 0° C. was added MsCl (1.6 g, 14.4 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at RT for 3 hrs, water (10 mL) added and the mixture extracted with DCM (5 mL×3). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (5 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (2.5 g) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 365.1 found, 365.1 required.

Step 2: Ethyl 1-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (22)

To a suspension of NaH (53 mg, 1.3 mmol, 60 wt % in oil) in DMF (6 mL) at RT was added ethyl 1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (154 mg, 1.1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at RT for 30 min. A solution of the product from step 1 (400 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added and the resulting mixture stirred at 60° C. overnight. The cooled mixture was treated with water (1 mL), filtered, and the filtrate purified by preparative HPLC to provide the title compound (85 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 409.1 found, 409.2 required.

Step 3: 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 75)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (300 mg, 0.34 mmol) in THF (6 mL) at 0° C. was added MeMgBr (0.74 mL, 3M 2.22 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at RT, saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (1 mL) added and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (20 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (10% methanol in DCM) to provide the title compound (220 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 395.1 found, 395.2 required.

Example 76

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-[(2-propylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Step 1: (2R,5S)-Benzyl 2-methyl-5-((methylsulfonyl)oxy)piperidine-1-carboxylate (23)

To a solution of (2R,5S)-benzyl 5-hydroxy-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (1.01 g, 4 mmol) TEA (1.01 g, 10 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) at 0° C. was added MsCl (916 mg, 8 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h, water added and extracted with DCM (5 mL×3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (5 mL×2), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (1.21 g) as an oil, used without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 328.1 found, 328.2 required.

Step 2: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (24)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (500 mg, 1.50 mmol) in DMF (20.0 mL) at RT were added Cs₂CO₃ (975 mg, 3.00 mmol) and 1-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) propan-1-one (420 mg, 3 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 80° C. under N₂ overnight, cooled to RT, diluted with water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (50.0 mL×3). The combined organic layers was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (33% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (450 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 372.1 found, 372.2 required.

Step 3: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (25)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (450 mg, 1.20 mmol) in THF (20 mL) at 0° C. was added CH₃MgBr solution (4.0 mL, 3 M, 12 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 h, diluted with saturated aq. NH₄Cl solution, and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by preparative TLC (50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (350 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 358.3 found, 358.2 required.

Step 4: 2-(143R,6R)-6-Methylpiperidin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (26)

A mixture of the product from step 3 (350 mg, 0.98 mmol) and palladium (10 wt % on activated carbon, 100 mg) in degassed MeOH (10 mL) was stirred overnight under an atmosphere of hydrogen. The degassed mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified chromatography on silica (10% methanol in DCM) to give the title compound (240 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 224.3 found, 224.2 required.

Step 5: 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-[(2-propylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (Example 76)

A solution of the product from step 4 (50 mg, 0.21 mmol), 2-propylbenzoic acid (52 mg, 0.30 mmol) and HATU (122 mg, 0.32 mmol) in DMF/Et₃N (3 mL/0.2 mL) was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was purified directly by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (44 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M-OH) 352.2 found, (M+H) 370.2 required.

The following compounds were prepared according to the methodology herein and the general procedure of Example 76. The starting materials are either commercially available or may be prepared as described in the synthesis of intermediates, or may be prepared from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions well known in the art.

Mass Ex. Structure Name [M + H]+ 77

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2- Ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 372.2 (M + H), found 354.2 (M − OH) 78

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2- Cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 368.2 (M + H), found 350.1 (M − OH) 79

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2- Difluoroethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 408.2 (M + H), found 390.2 (M − OH) 80

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methy-1-{[2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl} piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan- 2-ol Calc′d 426.2 (M + H), found 408.1 (M − OH) 81

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(1- methylethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl} piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan- 2-ol Calc′d 386.2 (M + H), found 368.2 (M − OH) 82

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(1- methylethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin- 3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 370.2 (M + H), found 352.2 (M − OH) 83

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl} piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 412.2 (M + H), found 394.14 (M − OH) 84

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2- (Difluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}- 6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol- 4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 394.2 (M + H), found 376.1 (M − OH) 85

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1S)-2,2- Difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)- 6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 404.2 (M + H), found 386.3 (M − OH) 86

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1R)-2,2- Difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)- 6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 404.2 (M + H), found 386.3 (M − OH) 87

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2- Cyclobutylphenyl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4- yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 382.2 (M + H), found 364.2 (M − OH) 88

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-({2- [(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl} carbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 428.2 (M + H), found 410.1 (M − OH) 89

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-Ethoxypyridin-3- yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 373.2 (M + H), found 355.1 (M − OH) 90

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(1H- pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 395.2 (M + H), found 377.1 (M − OH) 91

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-Fluoro-2-(2H- 1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}- 6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol- 4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 413.2 (M + H), found 385.1 (M − OH) 92

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-[(2- phenylpyridin-3- yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 405.2 (M + H), found 387.1 (M − OH) 93

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(1H- pyrazol-1- yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 394.2 (M + H), found 376.2 (M − OH) 94

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 427.2 (M + H), found 409.1 (M − OH) 95

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[3-(1H- pyrazol-1-yl)pyrazin-2- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 396.2 (M + H), found 378.1 (M − OH) 96

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-Cyclopropyl-6- methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4- yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 399.2 (M + H), found 381.1 (M − OH) 97

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(1- methylethoxy)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 387.2 (M + H), found 369.2 (M − OH) 98

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2- Difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3- yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 409.2 (M + H), found 391.2 (M − OH) 99

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2- Difluoroethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4- yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 392.2 (M + H), found 374.3 (M − OH) 100

2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-Cyclobutyl-6- methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4- yl)propan-2-ol Calc′d 413.3 (M + H), found 395.3 (M − OH) 101

2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[3-(2H- 1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyrazin-2- yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol Calc′d 397.2 (M + H), found 379.1 (M − OH)

Examples 102 and 103 (1R)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol

Scheme for the preparation of Example 102 and Example 103:

(1R)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol (1S)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol Step 1: (2-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone (27)

To a solution of compound 22 (Example 73, Step 2) (150 mg, 0.37 mmol) in toluene (5 mL) was added DIBAL-H (0.74 mL, 0.74 mmol) dropwise at −78° C. under nitrogen. The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to RT and stirred for 1 h. Methanol (5 mL) was added slowly to the mixture and the mixture then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (50% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (100 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 367.3 found, 367.2 required.

Step 2: 1-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (28)

A solution of the product from step 1 (100 mg, 0.27 mmol) and DMP (116 mg, 0.27 mmol) in dry DCM (10 mL) was stirred at RT for 0.5 h. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (80 mg) as an oil, which was used in the next step without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 365.2 found, 365.2 required.

Step 3: (1R)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-{ 1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol (Example 102) (1S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol (Example 103)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (80 mg, 0.22 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) was added CsF (33 mg, 0.22 mmol) and TMSCF₃ (94 mg, 0.66 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by preparative HPLC and then chiral SFC (OZ 250×30 mm I.D., 5 um, CO₂/MeOH (0.1%) NH₃.H2O=85/15 at 60 mL/min) to give the Example 102 (47 mg, faster eluting isomer in SFC) as a solid and Example 103 (27 mg, slower eluting isomer in SFC) as a solid. Example 102: LRMS m/z (M+H) 435.1 found, 435.2 required. Example 103: LRMS m/z (M+H) 435.1 found, 435.2 required.

Examples 104, 105 and 106

1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 104) (2R)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 105) (2S)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 106) Step 1: Ethyl 1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (29)

To a solution of ethyl 1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (5 g, 40.0 mmol) in THF (150 mL) at 0° C. was added NaH (1.92 g, 48.0 mmol, 60 wt % in oil), followed by SEMCl (8.00 g, 48.0 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 5 h, diluted with water (50 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (40 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (8.00 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 271.1 found, 271.1 required.

Step 2: 1-((2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (30)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (8 g, 31.5 mmol) in EtOH (100 mL) was added water (5.00 mL) and LiOH (3.75 g, 156 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight and concentrated in vacuo to remove most of solvent. The residue was poured into water (40.0 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The aqueous layer was acidified with 1N HCl, and extracted with EtOAc (40.0 mL×3). The combined organic layers, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (6.50 g) as an oil, used without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 243.1 found, 243.1 required.

Step 3: N-Methoxy-N-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (31)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (6.5 g, 26.9 mmol) in DCM (200 mL) at RT were added HOBT (3.63 g, 26.7 mmol), EDC (10.3 g, 53.7 mmol), DIEA (10.3 g, 80.6 mmol) and N,O-dimethylhydroxylammonium (5.20 g, 53.7 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 4 h, poured into water (50 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by s chromatography on silica (10% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (6.0 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 286.1 found, 286.2 required.

Step 4: N-Methoxy-N-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (32)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (4.0 g, 14.0 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at 0° C. was added MeMgBr (18.0 mL, 3M, 54.0 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight, diluted with saturated aq. NH₄Cl solution and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (10% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (2.6 g) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 241.1 found, 241.1 required.

Step 5: N-Methoxy-N-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (33)

To a solution of the product from step 4 (1.0 g, 4.12 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at 0° C. were added TMSCF₃ (0.71 mL, 5.00 mmol), CsF (0.94 g, 6.18 mmol) and TBAF (1.3 g, 4.21 mmol). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to RT overnight, diluted with water (10 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (10% EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (420 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 311.1 found, 311.1 required.

Step 6: N-Methoxy-N-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (34)

To a solution of the product from step 5 (420 mg, 1.35 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at RT was added TBAF (427 mg, 1.35 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 3 d, cooled to RT, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (200 mg) as an oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 180.9 found, 181.0 required.

Step 7: 1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 104)

To a solution of the product from step 6 (100 mg, 0.56 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at RT were added Cs₂CO₃ (361 mg, 1.11 mmol) and compound 21 (Example 73, Step 1) (202 mg, 0.56 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 14 h, cooled to RT, filtered and purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound (70.0 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 449.2 found, 449.2 required.

Step 8: (2R)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 105) (2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 106)

The product from step 6 (140 mg, 0.31 mmol) was separated by chiral SFC (OD 250×30 mm I.D., 5 um, CO₂/MEOH (0.1%) NH₃·H₂O=60/40 at 50 mL/min) to give Example 105 (51 mg, faster eluting isomer in SFC) as a solid and Example 106 (63 mg, slower eluting isomer in SFC) as a solid. Example 105: LRMS m/z (M+H) 449.2 found, 449.2 required. Example 106: LRMS m/z (M+H) 449.1 found, 449.2 required.

Examples 107 and 108 2-{3-Methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 107)

Example 108 2-{5-Methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol

Scheme for the preparation of Example 107 and Example 108:

2-{3-Methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 107) 2-{5-Methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 108) Step 1: Ethyl 1-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (35) and ethyl 1-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (36)

To a suspension of NaH (33 mg, 0.82 mmol, 60 wt % in oil) in DMF (6 mL) at RT was added ethyl 1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (85 mg, 0.55 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 30 min, then a solution of compound 21 (Example 73, Step 1) (200 mg, 0.55 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) added. The mixture was stirred at 60° C. overnight, cooled to RT, diluted with water (1 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was purified by preparative HPLC to give the product (140 mg) as a solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 423.1 found, 423.2 required.

Step 2: 2-{3-Methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 107) and 2-{5-methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol (Example 108)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (100 mg, 0.24 mmol) in THF (3 mL) at 0° C. was added CH₃MgBr solution (0.47 mL, 3M, 1.42 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight, diluted with saturated aq. NH₄Cl solution, and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give Example 107 (22 mg) as an oil and Example 108 (13 mg) as an oil. Example 107: LRMS m/z (M+H) 409.2 found, 409.2 required. Example 108: LRMS m/z (M+H) 409.2 found, 409.2 required.

The following table shows representative data for the compounds of the Examples as orexin receptor antagonists as determined by the assays described herein.

hOX2R FLIPR hOXIR FLIPR Example IC₅₀ (nM) IC₅₀ (nM) 1 13.8 1155 2 16.2 483 3 1065 >10000 4 15.9 8106 5 71.3 >10000 6 14.9 2459 7 51.7 >10000 8 1781.0 >10000 9 30.0 >10000 10 26.0 >10000 11 20.0 2554 12 31.3 >10000 13 14.3 >10000 14 15.9 8788 15 32.6 >10000 16 22.8 >10000 17 16.1 3677 18 15.0 >10000 19 12.1 2804 20 24.6 >10000 21 18.0 >10000 22 8.5 733 23 46.9 >10000 24 511.8 >10000 25 7.5 594 26 86.7 >10000 27 17.9 505 28 69.7 54 29 362.5 >10000 30 138.5 >10000 31 36.4 >10000 32 89.6 >10000 33 18.4 2564 34 36.8 >10000 35 592.6 >10000 36 62.9 >10000 37 75.2 >10000 38 27.5 >10000 39 27.1 >10000 40 86.7 >10000 41 172.9 >10000 42 622.1 >10000 43 108.6 >10000 44 897.2 >10000 45 51.4 >10000 46 56.4 >10000 47 45.7 >10000 48 136.5 >10000 49 29.1 2829 50 126.5 >10000 51 67.4 >10000 52 59.8 3086 53 31.1 1809 54 53.3 >10000 55 221.9 >10000 56 308.1 >10000 57 489.1 >10000 58 44.9 >10000 59 400.5 >10000 60 608.5 >10000 61 681.3 >10000 62 12.5 1251 63 15.9 3350 64 8.8 2986 65 15.1 2933 66 9.6 3060 67 10.1 1149 68 6.9 1516 69 7.9 1952 70 8.8 760 71 9.3 2713 72 15.2 1289 73 17.4 2463 74 44.9 >10000 75 21.6 >10000 76 52.3 >10000 77 120.8 >10000 78 25.5 >10000 79 127.0 >10000 80 165.4 >10000 81 89.8 >10000 82 347.0 >10000 83 31.4 >10000 84 464.1 >10000 85 9.4 2635 86 152.2 >10000 87 49.3 3291 88 15.2 7929 89 283.0 >10000 90 33.6 >10000 91 18.8 >10000 92 195.4 >10000 93 92.7 >10000 94 37.0 >10000 95 271.0 >10000 96 1602.0 >10000 97 239.8 >10000 98 58.8 >10000 99 38.4 >10000 100 60.8 >10000 101 479.2 >10000 102 123.7 >10000 103 102.0 >10000 104 13.4 2011 105 9.4 2728 106 10.6 2062 107 13.8 339 108 73.2 3367

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to certain particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, changes, modifications, substitutions, deletions, or additions of procedures and protocols may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula I:

wherein: X is N or C(R⁷); Y is N or C(R⁶), wherein when Y is N then X is also N; A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, pyrazinyl, and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl; R^(1a), R^(1b) and R^(1c) are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydrogen, (2) halogen, (3) hydroxyl, (4) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, (6) —CN, and (7) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl or —NO₂; R³ is selected from C₁₋₆alkyl and C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R⁴; R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydroxyl, (2) halogen, (3) C₁₋₆alkyl, (4) —C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, (6) —O(C═O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, (7) —NH₂, (7) —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, (8) —NO₂, (9) phenyl, (10) —CO₂H, and (11) —CN; R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydrogen, (2) halogen, (3) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, or —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, (4) C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, or —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, or hydroxyl, (6) —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, (7) —CN, (8) —(C═O)NH₂, (9) —(C═O)NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, and (10) —(C═O)NH—O—C₁₋₆alkyl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydrogen, (2) halogen, (3) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, or C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, (4) C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, halogen, or C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, (5) —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and (6) —(C═O)O—C₁₋₆alkyl, (7) —CN, (8) —(C═O)NH₂, (9) —(C═O)NH—C₁₋₆alkyl, and (10) —(C═O)NH—O—C₁₋₆alkyl; R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydrogen and (2) C₁₋₆alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1 of the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. The compound of claim 1 of the formula Ib:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein Y is C(R⁶).
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein X is N and Y is C(R⁶).
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein X is C(R⁷) and Y is C(R⁶).
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein X is N and Y is N.
 8. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R³ is methyl or ethyl.
 9. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of: (1) —C(CH₃)₂OH, (2) —CH(OH)CF₃, (2) —CH(OH)CH₃, (2) —C(OH)(CF₃)CH₃, (3) —C(═O)OCH₃, and (4) bromo.
 10. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R⁶ is hydrogen or methyl.
 11. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R⁷ is hydrogen or methyl.
 12. A compound which is selected from the group consisting of: 1-(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl) phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile; [1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-propylpyridin-3-yl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-propylphenyl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopropylphenyl)methanone; (2-cyclopropylphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; (2-(difluoromethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; methyl 3-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hy-droxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)picolinate; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phenyl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(4-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanone; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-({2-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; (2-ethoxyphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperi-din-1-yl)methanone; (2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopro-poxypyridin-3-yl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-isopropoxyphenyl)methanone; (2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)methanone; methyl 2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)benzoate; (2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1S)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1R)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; methyl 2-((3R,6R)-1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate; (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl) ((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone; (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-((R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone; (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone; (2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-bromo-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; (5-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[5-fluoro-2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[5-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(3-pyridin-2-ylpyrazin-2-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2-methoxyethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[6-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[3-fluoro-2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(3-phenoxyphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-methoxy-6-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[5-methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-methyl-6-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[6-methyl-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(methoxymethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-7-ylcarbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-Methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 1-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}ethanol; 2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol 2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-(2-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{5-methyl-2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-5-methyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(5-methyl-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-phenylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{2-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-2H-tetrazol-5-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-propylphenyl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1S)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-({2-[(1R)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl]phenyl}carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclobutylphenyl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-({2-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbonyl)piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-[(2-phenylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclopropyl-6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-1-{[2-(2,2-difluoroethyl)phenyl]carbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-(1-{(3R,6R)-1-[(2-cyclobutyl-6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol; 2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; (1R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol; (1S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}ethanol; 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; (2R)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; (2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; 2-{3-methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; and 2-{5-methyl-1-[(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{[2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl]carbonyl}piperidin-3-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}propan-2-ol; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an inert carrier and a compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. A method for treating insomnia in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 